Bare Theatre to Mount 18th Shakespeare Play with CYMBELINE, 3/27-4/12

Bare Theatre mounts its 18th Shakespeare production with Cymbeline, a play that is loved by many actors and theatre practitioners, and was even a favorite of the great poet John Keats.

Though the story may be unfamiliar to some, it contains elements that will be recognized by Shakespeare­lovers. Themes of forbidden love, fatherly pride, rebellion and jealousy are mingled with odious villains, mistaken identity, a cross­dressing young heroine, and an epic battle ­ leading some in the business to refer to Cymbeline as "Shakespeare's Greatest Hits."

Laura Bess Jernigan, a veteran actress and writer who was in Bare Theatre's very first production, directs this adventure in the cavernous hall of the Cordoba Arts Center at Golden Belt, in Durham. Honing in on themes of rebellion ­ between a noble daughter and her father the king, between the Britons and the Romans ­ Jernigan brings vibrancy and energy to this intimate, minimalist production with a cast of nine.

Jernigan assistant­ directed and played the role of Phoebe last summer in Bare Theatre's As You Like It. She was also seen in A Big Wig Production's Kindertransport at Burning Coal Theatre and Fuddy Meers at Theatre in the Park. Her play, HERO, recently had its London premiere with The?a?tre Libre.

Bare Theatre has received praise from publications around the Triangle for over nine years. Most recently, INDYweek honored Let Them Be Heard in its 2013 "Best of Triangle Theatre" list for Best Costumes (from David Serxner and Phillip B. Smith). The company also received a Best Original Music honor for last summer's As You Like It (from Greensboro string­band, The Zinc Kings). Bare Theatre is known for its minimalist, high­energy, physical approach to the works of Shakespeare, overlooked classics, and new works.

William Shakespeare's Cymbeline will play March 27­, 29, April 3­,5, and April 10,­12, 8:00pm each night at The Cordoba Center for the Arts at Golden Belt in Durham, NC. Tickets: http://bpt.me/559041.