Cymbeline - Free Shakespeare in the Park

Actors Ensemble's first production of our 2024 Summer Season in the beautiful John Hinkel Park is Shakespeare's epic romance Cymbeline, adapted and directed by Glenn Havlan and  Gaby Schneider.  Free-of-charge, reservations encouraged (especially for those in wheelchairs or with limited mobility) but not necessary.  Presented weekends + holidays July 4th - July 20th at 4 p.m.

Cymbeline is a dark fairy tale of love and loss, loyalty and betrayal, grief and survival, with multiple interwoven story lines that all converge in a final scene of forgiveness, reconciliation, and hope. It is a strange loop—a Mobius Strip on which two separated lovers travel at different speeds until they meet again, always moving forward yet returning to where they began.

The beautiful Imogene, daughter of the torn Celtic British King Cymbeline and in love with Posthumus, now banished to Italy, must survive the plots of the treacherous Queen and her dastardly son Cloten, along with the interference of the meddling Romans and court intrigue, in order to save her love and the kingdom

With: 

Al Badger: Philario / Belarius
Marc Berman: Cornelius / gaoler
Patrice Binaisa: 1st Lord / Sicilius
Dominic Canty: Posthumus
Ryan Chu: Second Lord / Arviragus
Alexandra Fry: Imogen
Mark Goldman: Cymbeline
Emi Hegarty: Frenchman / Guiderius
Kenneth Matis: Cloten
Virgie Poole: Lady Helen / Soothsayer
Michele Sanner Vargas: Queen
Stanley Spenger: Pisanio
Jeff Trescott: Caius Lucius / Jupiter
Jean-Paul Zuhur: Iachimo

Costumes by Lyre Alston.
Set design by Kirsten Yamaguchi.
Props by Susan Dunn.
Photos/graphics by Vicki Victoria.
Stage Management by Ayla Azim.
Production/Technical Direction by Jerome Solberg.

The amphitheatre seats well over 300 people and consists of a series of stone steps. Low lawnchairs are acceptable, or bring pillows and/or blankets.  The amphitheatre is wheelchair accessible with 5 spots for wheelchairs or those who cannot climb steps and/or need a special chair, and 8 benches for wheelchair companions or folks who cannot climb ysteps but can sit on benches , all at ground level - please make a reservation so we can reserve these spots.  In addition, for those with limited mobility or hearing issues we will reserve places in the first few rows, which requires climbing a few steps (there are railings).  No chairs are provided, please bring your own and/or pillows/blankets.  For all others, we encourage you to make a reservation (and make a donation!) so we have some idea of who is coming (helps to plan concessions), but seats are on a first-come/first-served basis.   There a single handicap parking spot close to the amphitheatre and some additional spots along Somerset which are reasonably accessible for wheelchairs - we encourage folks to be dropped off.

John Hinkel Park Amphitheatre is at 41 Somerset Pl., Berkeley, CA 94707.  Access is via Arlington Avenue, turn right on Southampton, then continue straight onto Somerset.  Note that Google Maps will direct you to locations at the top of the park along San Diego Road - quite a hike down.  There is very limited parking at the amphitheatre, due to the addition of a playground which swallowed up most of the existing parking.  There is some parking along Arlington, Somerset, Southhampton, and San Diego Road - we encourage folks to ride bicycles or use ride services.  The closest BART station is the North Berkeley BART.  The #7 AC Transit bus stops right at the corner of Arlington and Southampton.

The production lasts about two hours, including a short intermission