Twelfth Night

Synopsis

Or What You Will. Shakespeare comedy of mistaken identity, practical jokes and unrequited love. Rescued from a shipwreck the twins Viola and Sebastian arrive independently in Illyria, both thinking the other is drowned. Viola disguises herself as a boy and finds employment with the Duke who is in love with Olivia. Malvolio is the subject of a cruel joke played on him by Sir Toby Belch (yellow stockings cross-gartered) leading him to believe that Olivia loves him. But Olivia has fallen in love with the disguised Viola, while she is in love with the Duke (following it so far?!).

Our Review:

30 September 2010

Paulette Randall’s new production takes Shakespeare’s funniest comedy and transplants it from the Italian coast to a more sultry South American setting. Her Brazilian Illyria is beautifully set by Libby Watson who stretched the production budget with a fact-finding trip to the country’s ancient former capital Salvador.

Sadly Libby’s crumbling colonial backdrop, with its weed fringed flagstones, palm trees and balconied residencia, coupled with perfectly stylised costumes don’t make up for a lack of intelligibility and some pretty mixed acting talents.

You have to have a pretty good grasp of the complexities of the plot and a working knowledge of the original dialogue to plough your way through Shakespearian English delivered in a range of South American accents that test the ear at every stage. Fortunately some of the physical elements of the performance make up for the audible deficiencies but a long first half tested the audience’s patience.

One saving grace was [Marcus ...

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Latest User Review

Leo Yate - 30 September 2010:

We must have watched a different show! I thought it was inspired. ...

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