Details

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?!). Devised by Gyles Brandreth. Twelfth Night with music from the movies. This is Shakespeare's play with a difference a cast of five, a live mermaid (guaranteed at every performance), guest celebrity cameos and Shakespeare in person at the piano. This is Shakespeare's greatest romantic comedy a story of shipwreck and disguise, an exploration of love and loss and gender identity with something extra: some of the greatest music of our time, from the big screen and the small screen, from film and TV, from Cole Porter to Elvis.

Cast/Performers

Andrew C Wadsworth (Sir Toby Belch / Duke Orsino), Amanda Symonds (Maria / Countess Olivia), Baz Bloxham (Sir Andrew Aguecheek / Feste), Kosha Engler (Viola / Sebastian), Gyles Brandreth (Malvolio / Antonio / Sea Captain)

Creatives/Company

Producer(s): Qdos Entertainment (in association with The RSC - Rhythm Shakespeare Company), Chris Davis
Director(s): Carole Todd, Peter Woollard (music)
Design: Simon Scullion
Lighting: Douglas Kuhrt