An Asian-infused adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Cymbeline is to start a national tour at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre.
The production is in association with Phizzical—one of the leading exponents of Asian theatre—and is set in Bombay, India in 1993.
When Innogen’s father, 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 of her husband is filled with colourful characters, a wicked stepmother, sword fights and sleeping potions.
Cymbeline is directed by Samir Bhamra with voice and text by Nia Lynn from the Royal Shakespeare Company.
The production features Bollywood music and original work by composer Ajay Srivastava.
Samir Bhamra said, “Cymbeline has all the ingredients that make an epic Bollywood fairytale: 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.”
Cymbeline will be performed more than 50 times at 22 venues by an internationally diverse ensemble of six actors playing 18 characters.
The cast includes Sophie Khan Levy as Innogen, Adam Youssefbeygi (Sherrudin Khan, Cornelius), Nicholas Gauci (Cymbeline, Cloten) and Liz Jadav (Malika, Bharti and Bela).
Returning to Phizzical are singer-songwriter Robby Khela (Pisania, Arjun, Ravi and Cotwal) and Tony Hasnath (Yakim, Girdhar, Palidhar and News-seller).
The creative team includes movement by 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 plays in the B2 auditorium at the Belgrade from Saturday (14 September) until Saturday 21 September.