A gender-fluid take on the Bard's gender bending play

As part of Rufus Norris' inaugural season at the National Theatre, he has announced a series of shows that challenge traditional casting, making roles gender fluid or colour-blind to encourage diversity in theatre. In this new revival of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, Tamsin Grieg takes on the role of Malvolia, the antagonist of this gender-bending comedy.

What is it about?

Shakespeare's comedy of gender confusion is an uproarious, classic farce. Twins Viola and Sebastian are shipwrecked off the coast of Illyria, where they are separated. Presuming Sebastian dead, Viola disguises herself as a man named Cesario, and enters the service of Duke Orsnio.

Orsnio is in love with the disinterested Olivia, and his plan for Cesario to deliver his message of love to her backfires when Olivia falls instead for the Cesario the messenger. Meanwhile, others seek to exact their revenge on the evil Malvolio, by convincing him that he in fact is the object of Olivia's desire.