This was the first time I was able to see this rarely performed play, The plot is highly complex but even for someone new it was simple to follow. It reminded me of Pericles that I also saw for the first time this year, in that everything is explained at the end. But unlike the crazy revelations in that play's final scene, Cymbeline makes perfect sense. Even though the programme confirms "some 30 denouements in the final scene - although only one of these is news to the audience".
What made this performance so enjoyable was how director Molly Still had kept us involved for the whole of the three hours. Not played for laughs (as was this year's Globe production according to the lady next to me), it captured a sense of unease and danger that possibly reflected the times we live in. But then love conquers all.
The cast was fine. Innogen is the main character and in her debut season for the RSC, Bethan Cullinane gave a thoughtful performance. An actress to watch out for. However, the stand out actor that evening was Romayne Andrews, an understudy, catapulted into the lead role of Posthmus. His lack of experience never showed and he deserved the applause from the cast at the end.
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