Shakespeare with a Bollywood twist at the Belgrade Theatre

04/09/2013

In association with Phizzical, one of the leading exponents of Asian theatre, Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre is staging a brand new, Asian infused adaptation of William Shakespeare’s enchanting fairy-tale Cymbeline, which will open in the B2 auditorium from Sat 14 to Sat 21 September before heading out on a national tour.

Set in Bombay, India in 1993, Cymbeline features one of Shakespeare’s most tender and charming heroines, Innogen. When her father, the movie mogul King Cymbeline banishes her poor but worthy husband, she swaps her sari for breeches and sets off into the slums of Bombay disguised as a boy.

Her adventurous journey in search for her husband is filled with colourful characters, a wicked step mother, sword fights, and sleeping potions: all elements of an extraordinary tale of love lost and found.

Directed by Samir Bhamra with voice and text by Nia Lynn from the Royal Shakespeare Company, Cymbeline is infused with Bollywood music and original music by composer Ajay Srivastava and features one of Shakespeare’s most haunting songs that will be performed live by the company.

Director, Samir Bhamra said, “Cymbeline has all the ingredients that make an epic Bollywood fairy-tale: romance, comedy, tragedy and magic. It excites me to bring to life a delightful parody that fuses some of the greatest hits of Shakespeare. Cymbeline conjures up every human experience in an enchanting tale of forgiveness and renewal and I hope to do justice to Shakespeare’s imagination for our audiences.“Cymbeline’s creative team includes movement by acclaimed international choreographer, Sonia Sabri, set design by Kate Unwin, costume design by Almari, lighting design by Arnim Friess, fight choreography by martial arts champion Chirag Lukha and make-up design by Phlik.

Cymbeline will be performed over 50 times at 22 venues nationally by an internationally diverse ensemble of six talented actors playing 18 characters. The cast include Sophie Khan Levy as the feisty Innogen, Adam Youssefbeygi (Sherrudin Khan, Cornelius), Nicholas Gauci (Cymbeline, Cloten) and Liz Jadav (Malika, Bharti, Bela). Returning to Phizzical are singer-songwriter Robby Khela (Pisania, Arjun, Ravi, Cotwal) and TMA nominated actor Tony Hasnath (Yakim, Girdhar, Palidhar, New-seller).

Phizzical is renowned for creating entertaining and thought-provoking theatre and dance that brightens the imagination of audiences with the colour and spirit of Bollywood. The company was nominated for a Windrush Arts Award in 2004.

Tickets for Cymbeline are available now from the Belgrade Box Office on 024 7655 3055 priced from £8.75 to £16.25 or via www.belgrade.co.uk where cheaper tickets are available.