Under Development
fiction….…"A ship wrecks on the shores of Illyria and separates twins Sebastian and
Viola. Believing her brother to have perished and determined to meet the famously
handsome Duke Orsino of Illyria, Viola disguises herself as a man, calls herself
Cesario and gains access to Orsino’s court. The incurably romantic Orsino
however, is hopelessly in love with the Countess Olivia and sends Cesario
to woe her on his behalf. Reluctantly she does so but the spoilt and selfish
Olivia misguidedly falls in love with Cesario instead. Viola/Cesario is not
only bewildered by Olivia’s affections, but astounded by the chaos in
her household. Olivia’s irresponsible uncle Sir Toby Belch and his childish
friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek are running amok in her home and her serving ladies
are busy making mischief by tricking Olivia’s steward, the puritanical
and humourless Malvolio into believing Olivia is in love with him. Much confusion
ensues and the pandemonium doubles when Viola’s twin also arrives in
Illyria.
This production takes us to the bohemian and colourful world of Victorian
Paris and throws us into a carefree society where the central characters live
unaware of the consequences of their indulgent and selfish lifestyle.
Twelfth Night or What You Will is the only Shakespeare play to receive a double
title and its plot has something of a split personality. Encompassing gleeful
humour, romance and music it also delves into issues of revenge, cruel mistreatment
of people and lost love.
Nothing is as it seems and and no-one is quite who they claim to be. Despite being a much loved romantic comedy, a surprisingly dark streak runs through the core of Twelfth Night. It lends itself beautifully to the laissez-fare world of the Moulin Rouge and this production aims offers plenty of joire-de-vivre for Shakespeare lovers and newcomers alike.