Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Creation Theatre Company:
Outdoor Theatre, Headington Hill Park
14/6/03

As I approached the new ‘Creation Theatre’ outdoor auditorium I have to say I was rather disappointed. Last year’s show was performed in a magical location, on a woody island in the grounds of Magdalen College School. This year, Twelfth Night is being performed in the beautiful but slightly hilly Headington Hill Park, with the use of unsightly, industrial metal fencing and ‘portacabins’. I heard someone behind me at the Box Office comment on this too so it can’t just have been my bad mood. Anyway, enough complaining…

The story of Twelfth Night, if you’re not familiar with it, is of a pair of twins, one male (Sebastian), one female (Viola) who are shipwrecked and both think the other has died. (The rest of the story takes up too many lines to explain but it involves lots of mistaken identity, comedy, romance and cross-dressing).

The direction (by Charlotte Conquest) was innovative and physical although I was slightly confused about what was happening for the first ten minutes. The eight actors made full use of the simple but effective set. The acting was excellent and it would be impossible (and also unfair) to single out any particular cast member(s) as being the best. Original songs were an added bonus to the show, which was awarded a part-standing-ovation by the audience.

I advise renting a rug and a cushion at the beginning, as I got a bit chilly and uncomfortable without either as the sun set. Good food is available (watch out for the fierce green chillies in the gourmet hot dogs!), and so are chairs and tables. The audience was very broad, the youngest person I saw being about eight, and the eldest about eighty. All had lots of fun. There’s not much professional outdoor theatre in Britain, so trundle up to Headington Hill Park and Shakespeare will entertain you.

You should be advised to book in advance, as tickets sell up quickly. See www.creationtheatre.co.uk for more information.

Joe Pike 16/06/03