July 14, 2009
The thing about Shakespeare, I think, is that no matter how many times you read it, whether by choice or under sufferance in English literature classes, you never really get it until you see it performed – and performed well. There’s an obvious reason for this, but for some inexplicable reason it always surprises English teachers. My heart used to sink every time Mrs. Frosty stalked into the classroom with something by the Bard tucked under her arm. We were all sat there, hoping to be depressed by Dickens or a Brontë sister, but it was not to be, Macbeth always got the gig.
The great news is that the moment you see Shakespeare in the safe and skilled hands of talented actors, you forget how it used to pain you. It’s like childbirth, the worst is forgotten and you just marvel at the end result.
Twelfth Night is in the safest of hands with the Creation Theatre Company. They are performing it in the amphitheatre on the roof of the Said Business School, a venue you may not have known existed; it is well worth making acquaintance with. There is something wonderful about outdoor theatre, you get the feeling you are seeing the plays as they were intended to be seen, a real sense of the performance being ‘live’, vibrant and open to the elements. When the outdoor venue is a purpose-built amphitheatre then it is even better, everyone gets a good view and the acoustics are superb.
In brief, Twelfth Night is a romantic comedy that follows the fortunes of a small group after a shipwreck. Viola believes her brother to be drowned and she disguises herself as a boy (Cesario) in order to get work. The usual Shakespeare thing happens – a woman (Lady Olivia) falls in love with the cross-dressing Viola and in turn Viola falls in love with her employer Orsino. Of course it all works out in the end, Viola’s brother is alive and well and Lady Olivia is happy to fall in love with him as an alternative. Orsino falls for Viola when she reveals herself to be a girl. The plot line isn’t rocket science, in many ways Shakespeare kept it simple – but the words are wonderful, it is easy to see why many believe Shakespeare was and still is the greatest of playwrights.
The Creation Company handles Twelfth Night with the perfect lightness of touch. They are true professionals and nothing flustered them. The rain started, as we knew it would, and we had to take an early break. When the play resumed, it was as though it hadn’t been interrupted. At one point Orsino (played brilliantly by Stephen Carlile) was supposed to change costume to play Andrew Aguecheek, he didn’t have time to change and came on stage clutching the costume to his chest. His colleagues were grinning as he burst out with “there wasn’t time” before continuing in character.
The production is an absolute gem and you don’t have to know the play to enjoy it. It is worth going for the quality of the acting alone – and don’t be put off by the weather, if it develops into anything more than a light shower, it can all be transferred indoors.
The great news is that the moment you see Shakespeare in the safe and skilled hands of talented actors, you forget how it used to pain you. It’s like childbirth, the worst is forgotten and you just marvel at the end result.
Twelfth Night is in the safest of hands with the Creation Theatre Company. They are performing it in the amphitheatre on the roof of the Said Business School, a venue you may not have known existed; it is well worth making acquaintance with. There is something wonderful about outdoor theatre, you get the feeling you are seeing the plays as they were intended to be seen, a real sense of the performance being ‘live’, vibrant and open to the elements. When the outdoor venue is a purpose-built amphitheatre then it is even better, everyone gets a good view and the acoustics are superb.
In brief, Twelfth Night is a romantic comedy that follows the fortunes of a small group after a shipwreck. Viola believes her brother to be drowned and she disguises herself as a boy (Cesario) in order to get work. The usual Shakespeare thing happens – a woman (Lady Olivia) falls in love with the cross-dressing Viola and in turn Viola falls in love with her employer Orsino. Of course it all works out in the end, Viola’s brother is alive and well and Lady Olivia is happy to fall in love with him as an alternative. Orsino falls for Viola when she reveals herself to be a girl. The plot line isn’t rocket science, in many ways Shakespeare kept it simple – but the words are wonderful, it is easy to see why many believe Shakespeare was and still is the greatest of playwrights.
The Creation Company handles Twelfth Night with the perfect lightness of touch. They are true professionals and nothing flustered them. The rain started, as we knew it would, and we had to take an early break. When the play resumed, it was as though it hadn’t been interrupted. At one point Orsino (played brilliantly by Stephen Carlile) was supposed to change costume to play Andrew Aguecheek, he didn’t have time to change and came on stage clutching the costume to his chest. His colleagues were grinning as he burst out with “there wasn’t time” before continuing in character.
The production is an absolute gem and you don’t have to know the play to enjoy it. It is worth going for the quality of the acting alone – and don’t be put off by the weather, if it develops into anything more than a light shower, it can all be transferred indoors.