Twelfth Night (Tour - Salford)

Inspired by the opening lines of the play Filter’s production of Twelfth Night is full of music. Sonnets are transformed into raucous audience sing-a-longs and Alex Avery’s Malvolio is a wannabe stadium rocker.
 
Director Sean Holmes sets the play in a rehearsal room with the cast and musicians seated around the performance area and joining in when needed. The cast of six are supplemented by vocal contributions delivered by mobile phone and even the shipping forecast. Costumes are kept to a minimum and Viola has to borrow her male disguise from the audience.

In such a trimmed down and fast-paced production the poetry of the verse inevitably suffers and the entrance of Toby Belch ([Fergus O’ Donnell]) quoting lines from other Shakespearian plays is a step too far. The cast, however, ensure that irreverent style does not swamp substance. Poppy Miller’s liquid features give Viola a desperate longing. Nicholas Tennant takes Orsino to the point of madness in his unrequited love and is comically disturbed by his feelings for his page.

This lively and even cheeky version of the play catches the anarchic spirit of Twelfth Night’s alternative title: 'What You Will.' And you get pizza.
 
- Dave Cunningham