Department of Theatre and Dance to Perform ‘Cymbeline’

Cal State East Bay’s Department of Theatre and Dance will present Shakespeare’s “Cymbeline” Nov. 11-12 and Nov. 18-20 at the University Theatre on the Hayward campus. It will be the first show of the department’s 2016-17 season and tickets are currently available at the University Bookstore and online at www.csueastbaytickets.com

“Cymbeline” is unique among Shakespeare's "great plays" in that it is a mix of comedy, tragedy and history. In this play, Cymbeline, King of Britain, has three children — two sons who vanished as infants 20 years prior, and a younger daughter, Princess Imogen. Cymbeline has remarried a new queen who wants Princess Imogen to marry her son Cloten to produce an heir to Britain’s throne. Through a series of events, there is a murder followed by some confusion for Imogen as to who has been killed. But the audience is in on the identity of the murder victim and remains one step ahead of the characters as the events unfold. 

CSUEB’s take on "Cymbeline" is a cross between early Disney cartoons such as "Snow White" and the films of Quentin Tarantino. The comedy surrounds the characters by way of their confusion, inaccurate assumptions, and reactions to what has and has not happened. “Game of Thrones” fans will also enjoy the costumes, designed by CSUEB student Sandra Young-Cellilo.

For more information about the production, call the Department of Theatre and Dance at 510-885-3118, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets will also be on sale at the University Theatre’s box office one hour before show time.