From Tuesday 15th July, University Parks becomes the shores of Illyria as the Oxford Theatre Guild brings Twelfth Night, Shakespeare's classic tale of mismatched loves, trickery and yellow tights, to life. We caught up with directors Michael Corbidge and Martha Gray to discuss what they have in store for shipwrecked twins Sebastian and Viola, from its outdoor setting to their 80s inspiration.
Daily Information: What about Twelfth Night do you think has such an enduring appeal to modern audiences?
Michael Corbidge/Martha Gray: Shakespeare tells great stories and Twelfth Night has it all: romance, jealousy, love triangles, mistaken identity, escape from death, fights, conspiracies, and a big reveal! Shakespeare understands the whole 360 degree-ness of our torrid, grubby, lovely, amazing loving hating lives. He unpacks the whole human story.
DI: This particular vision of Twelfth Night transports us to the 1980s - what inspired this change and how has it affected your approach to the text?
MC/MG: The starting point was the 2022 resurgence to No 1. of Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up that Hill’, which was originally released in 1985. We modelled Olivia, one of the romantic leads, on Kate Bush, and the world of the play emerged from that. So it’s the 1980s as we enjoy it today. Fun, not literal. You’ll see it in the costumes and hear it in the music. Very few changes script-wise, just shorter.
DI: What has the rehearsal process been like?
MC/MG: We build an ensemble with strong connection to the park setting, rehearsing frequently in the actual playing space. Open air playing requires specific voice conditioning and acclimatising to the unpredictable outdoors, which is the world of the play. We always work collaboratively and with fun and games, focussing on the body and voice.
DI: The play is of course rife with gender-bending and mistaken identity, which over the years has also allowed for a lot of gender fluidity in the play’s casting (eg. Tamsin Greig as Malvolio or The Rose Playhouse’s Twelfth Night: A Gender Experiment). Will OTG’s Twelfth Night be playing with these dynamics at all?
MC/MG: Yes it’s a virtual norm now. Our Malvolio is a woman.
DI: In terms of writing, this is also certainly one of Shakespeare’s funniest comedies; does OTG’s production play more on love or laughs?
MC/MG: We agree, it’s hilarious and also romantic! Shakespeare’s comedies are about sex, love and marriage - usually in that order! We play for truth and it’s a bonkers triangle of love with everyone in love with the wrong person!
DI: Who are your favourite characters and why?
MC/MG: Viola; tenacious, quick-witted, and honest.
DI: Favourite Twelfth Night line to sneak into everyday conversation?
MC/MG: "I was adored once,", and "Will there be no more cakes and ale?"
DI: Describe OTG’s Twelfth Night in five words.
MC/MG: Right Rollicking Romantic Raucous Romp!
Twelfth Night will be playing in University Parks from Tues 15th - Sat 26th July - get your tickets here!