Projects / Radio / Cymbeline
Bill Wallis takes the title role in a new BBC Radio 3 production of one of Shakespeare's most rarely performed plays.
Cymbeline tells of the semi-legendary King's dealings with the Romans,
the secret marriage of his daughter, Imogen, the cynical Iachimo's
attempts on her chastity when her husband is banished, and the exiled
Belarius, living in a cave at Milford Haven with the abducted sons of
Cymbeline.
Producer Alison Hindell, the BBC's Head of Radio Drama, maintains that
Cymbeline's feeling of "archetypal fairytale" is perfect for radio. "Its
heightened elements, such as the discovery of a decapitated corpse, are
hard to reproduce convincingly on stage," she says. "They can be
conveyed more convincingly in pure sound."
Likewise, the frequent use of bird imagery in Shakespeare's text is
reflected in the sound world of the production. Scenes set near Milford
Haven were recorded on location in Wales, including on a Neolithic
burial mound which served as Belarius's cave.
Cast features Bill Wallis (Cymbeline) Nia Roberts (Imogen), William Houston (Posthumus), Sian Phillips (Queen), Andrew Wincott (Iachimo), Russell Gomer (Cloten), Joseph Kloska (Pisanio), Gareth Armstrong (Belarius), Christian Shaw (Guiderius), Meilyr Sion (Arviragus), John Labanowski (Caius Lucius), Richard Elfyn (Cornelius), Dorien Thomas (Philario), Manon Edwards (Lady). Directed by Alison Hindell.
Cymbeline is a Drama on 3 for BBC Radio 3, broadcast on 17th December 2006.