Theater: 'Cymbeline' tells an epic fairy tale

Imogen Sleeping (from Shakespeare's Cymbeline) by Artist Unknown**

From Orlando Shakespeare Theater comes the play known as "Shakespeare's Fairy Tale" - and no, I'm not talking about A Midsummer Night's Dream. It's Cymbeline (brief synopsis at the link): a play complete with a very evil stepmother, a sleeping potion, a defiant and resourceful princess, running away to hide in a forest and even a return from the (seeming) dead*.

"It's really like a Roman-era 'Snow White,'" says Jim Helsinger, artistic director of Orlando Shakespeare Theater.  

From the official website:

Cymbeline  Februrary 8 - March 18, 2012Written by William ShakespeareDirected by Jim Helsinger  Shakespeare's epic fairy tale is a sweeping story of love, laughter, betrayal and redemption. Evil queens, forbidden love, mistaken identities, banishment, magic potions and poison fill the stage in this storybook adventure. After brave Princess Imogen is falsely accused of adultery and escapes her father's court, she sets forth on a treacherous and miraculous journey to reclaim her place in society and reunite with her true love.

You can see some more photos of the production on the Flickr account HERE.

The production runs from February 8 to March 18, 2012. You can find more information about showings and tickets HERE.

Article source: HERE
* Shakespeare based Cymbeline on an ancient Celtic legend: Cunobeline.
** The style of this painting looks very familiar but I can't find any mention of the artist - only that the image is public domain.