Rosamund Clare brings magical ‘Dandelion Girl’ to Plough Arts Centre in Torrington

A reimagining of Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, the show blends romance, adventure, and wild storytelling, offering a magical yet thought-provoking experience for audiences

North Devon performance storyteller Rosamund Clare brings a wild ride of a tale to the Plough Arts Centre in Great Torrington on Saturday, October 12.

A spokesman for the performance said: “Dandelion Girl is a fairy tale for grown-ups, complete with a wicked stepmother, a wager and a headless body in a cave in Wales. But like all such stories, as well as being great entertainment, the fantastic elements and familiar characters provide a lens through which to examine the realities of being human.

“A retelling of Shakespeare’s late play Cymbeline, it is part romance, part action-adventure and all heart, told with the immediacy and intimacy of oral tradition storytelling - with a little help from four yellow chairs.

“The play may be named for her father, but Imogen is the undisputed star of the show. Warm, loyal, loving and strong. And just a little bit wild. The story lends itself to a storytelling performance, particularly with its echoes of fairytales, but it is not one for the children.”

Rosamund said: “Working with the play and reforming it as an oral tradition piece allows new elements to rise to the surface. Things that didn’t seem important take on new relevance. And that’s really exciting – watching this tale shift and change and speak directly to us.”

As an actor and director, Rosamund is no stranger to the bard and has an MA in Staging Shakespeare from the University of Exeter. As a storyteller, she has performed at schools, libraries, festivals, theatres and pubs, and is one half of the Suited Storytellers.

First seen at Barnstaple ’s Theatrefest 24, Dandelion Girl audiences described it as, “dramatic storytelling at its best”, “absolutely magical from start to finish”, “superb – we were completely hooked”. Tickets for Dandelion Girl in the Gallery at the Plough are available from the box office on 01805 624624 or online at theploughartscentre.org.uk for £12 and £10 for supporters. The show starts at 8pm and is suitable for ages 12 years and above.