24 – 28 June – Rosemary Branch Theatre, Shoreditch
Directed by Alex Hedges
with original rock-and-roll songs composed by Yaron Hollander
Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare’s best-loved comedies. This version will be set at the English seaside, in the 1950s. To a backdrop of rock-and-roll music, the production will explore the atmosphere of a country emerging from the dark shadow of two world wars, with a focus on the change and continuity in the position of women in this period.
At the start of the play, a young man named Orsino sits on the beach listening to Elvis and fantasising about the beautiful Olivia, who has turned from all men ever since losing both her father and brother in the war. Meanwhile, Festa (Olivia’s cousin) returns to the town after many years, bringing with her her friend Viola who, like Olivia, is mourning the loss of her twin brother, Sebastian, who went missing in the war. When Festa tells Viola that an attractive, single young man (Orsino) lives in the town, Viola decides to go and meet him. She decides to go disguised as a man, hoping that this will be an easier way to get to know him.
Viola, dressed as the boy Cesario, becomes a favourite with Orsino and finds herself falling in love with him. Orsino makes Cesario his wing-man, sending her/him to speak to Olivia on his behalf. Olivia instantly falls in love with Cesario. A love-triangle ensues: Viola loves Orsino, Orsino loves Olivia, and Olivia loves Cesario!
Viola – Amy Wackett
Festa – Cindy Ma
Maria – Ayryn Jones
Olivia – Jasmin Hinds
Malvolio – Doug Baker
Toby Belch – Bernard O’Sullivan
Andrew Aguecheek – Olli Marshall
Orsino – Greg Robins
Sebastian – James Saunders
Antonio – Hassan Govia