The Stage

Cymbeline

Published Friday 4 June 2010 at 12:24 by Lauren Paxman

For most Londoners, a decent lunch break is one where the rain stops for long enough to pop out and grab a sandwich. A great one is when the sun stays out long enough to sit in the park.

So C Company is always going to be competing with the latest weather front for “lunchbox” audiences. But thanks to the utterly charming Helen Heaslip, it’s a battle the company deserves to win.

Heaslip and, to a lesser extent, her three strong fellow actors skip, endearingly through this 45 minute, nine character version of Shakespeare’s play about a princess called Imogen (an entrancing Sophie Rickman) who disappoints her father by marrying beneath her.

There are some lovely touches. The use of bunting and songs to change scenes is delightful. And while the exaggerated acting might sometimes stray too far into hamming territory, the actors show considerable range with imaginative and surprising characterisation.

The bedtime story theme, meanwhile, perfectly suits the desperation to rush through a story before lights out - although might not be conducive to a productive afternoon’s work.

Those who aren’t acquainted with the tragicomedy would do well to swot up beforehand. But by the time you reach the happily ever after, you’ll be glad you forewent the sunshine.