Twelfth Night

Ever since the first recorded public performance of the play in February 1602, “Twelfth Night,” one of Shakespeare’s best-loved romantic comedies, rarely goes out of fashion. A story of mistaken identity, gender swapping, and the perils of falling in love, the play’s universal themes are relatable the world over. Viola and her twin brother, Sebastian, have been shipwrecked, each believing the other drowned. Viola, disguising herself as a young man (Cesario) gets a job working for Duke Orsino, a powerful nobleman of Illyria. Things get complicated when Orsino sends Viola (dressed as a boy) to woo Lady Olivia who, in turn, falls for Viola’s “Cesario.” In the meantime, Olivia’s butler, Malvolio, secretly in love with Olivia, becomes the butt of ridicule when he is fooled into dressing in yellow stockings and cross gartering at the behest of Olivia's maid Maria egged on by Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek to assist his chances in love. Sebastian returns, relationships flounder and chaos ensues but all’s well that ends well. Evoking the decadence of Edwardian high society Christopher Luscombe’s (Rocky Horror Picture Show) inspired production conjures up the opulence of the era with evocative sets, costumes, and impressive performances. Described by critics at the time as delivering, “rapturous speeches, splendid sets and some clever ideas” this production “lends the evening an air of Wildean gaiety.” Standout performances include Adrian Edmondson (The Young Ones, Bottom, War and Peace) as Malvolio, Dinita Gohil (Treason) as Viola, and Kara Tointon (Eastenders, Dream Team, Mr. Selfridge) as Olivia but, ultimately, everyone shines in this collaborative ensemble.