So long, farewell! Twelfth Night finished at National Theatre, Olivier on May 13, 2017

Twelfth Night

Twelfth Night at National Theatre, Olivier

So long, farewell! Twelfth Night finished at National Theatre, Olivier on May 13, 2017

Why see Twelfth Night?

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.

Key Information

Audience

Suitable for ages 10+

Run Time

to be confirmed by producers

Dates

Finished 13 May 2017

Cast

Tamsin Greig as Malvolia
Rest of Cast TBA

Creative

Directed by Simon Godwin

Reviews

Customer reviews

Adam Sutcliffe

Eclectic mix of styles really gels in joyful staging

Don't be put off my the discarded tyres, wreck of a pick-up truck, tumbleweed and badlands vibe that dresses the stage - this is a production which shines a glorious light on the text and brings out every character as fresh and real - and contemporary - in front of our eyes. The infectious humour of Sir Toby Welch and his (her) late night drinking party had the whole audience clapping along and laughing - and within moments we are moved by Caesario's torn emotions, laughing at Malvolio's hilarious reactions to the faux billet doux, and altogether enraptured by the fantastic flow of this ever-popular play. At a touch over two and a half hours it is a long sit on hard benches without an interval and whilst I loved the gentle text-expanding pacing at the start our backsides were paying for it by the end. ... Read more

Julia Brookes

A Malvolio Beyond All Others

Despite a weak Olivia, (which means a few dreary conversational scenes with Cesario that you really just can’t wait to have over), this production sparkles and roars and has a Malvolio who perfectly combines dignity and pathos and malice. A Malvolio who is us. The production also has one strange, irreplaceable, invisible player: the genuine spirit of theatre. ... Read more

Anonymous

Terrific evening out

The show was a delight from start to finish. We saw Maya Wasowicz in the role of Viola (as Nancy Carroll was unwell), and she was outstanding. What a rare talent! Hope to see her in more roles in the future. (and we heard every word) ... Read more
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