One of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, Twelfth Night gives the company a head start by being well known to modern audiences, with its crackling good humour and memorable characters. The production also hugely benefits from the stunning surroundings of the modern amphitheatre secreted away within the austere buildings of the Saïd Business School. This vast location, situated above the large quod, is the perfect place for an open-air play. The main floor has been covered in sand to replicate a beach, complete with flotsam and jetsam, a rock pool, and driftwood, brilliantly recreating the coast of Illyria where our characters are shipwrecked. What is so lovely about this location is the way the amphitheatre curves the sky as though it were a huge, ingenious backdrop to proceedings.
The entire production from beginning to end is simply enchanting. Having assembled an experienced cast, the quality of the acting is really quite breathtaking and a joy to watch. A brave decision to use only eight actors for twice as many parts paid off excellently as each actor is given a chance to flex their theatrical muscles. Stephen Carlile, who plays Orsino, Duke of Illyria, and the foolish drunkard Sir Andrew Ague-Cheek, is really a delight to watch, always finding the subtlest humour in the Bard’s words, as he oscillates effortlessly between the regal, lovelorn duke and the hilariously drunk fool Ague-Cheek. He brought much humour to his performance, and expertly played the crowd. Andrew Macbean struck the right note of pomposity and pathos as Malvolio, delivering a very sturdy performance. Janet Greaves and Melanie MacHugh gave entertaining performances as Maria and Olivia, with the rest of cast providing excellent support.
The weather became an added element to the play, starting at first somewhat cloudy, then a slow drizzle which soon turned into a healthy downpour with some thunder to add to the drama. The cast coped brilliantly, even incorporating it into the play with humorous references to the weather. As we sat there with umbrellas up, cursing English weather, an announcement was made that we would take an early interval. Fortunately, the sky completely cleared to a lovely evening blue, even though towards the very end the clouds became dense, black, and heavy looking again, and for a brief moment threatened a second heavy downpour. Fortunately for all involved, it didn’t come. Throughout the performance not a single member of the cast flinched, behaving as though this happened all the time (which, with an open air performance, probably does).
The combination of a solid cast, imaginative set and costume design (ingeniously using plastic frills, torn old ties, and netted crowns), spectacular location, and a brilliant interpretation of the text, made for a very entertaining evening, and also proved that the Creation Theatre Company is one of the most exciting in the country. If you are to see any open-air theatre this summer, Twelfth Night is the only option.
The weather became an added element to the play, starting at first somewhat cloudy, then a slow drizzle which soon turned into a healthy downpour with some thunder to add to the drama. The cast coped brilliantly, even incorporating it into the play with humorous references to the weather. As we sat there with umbrellas up, cursing English weather, an announcement was made that we would take an early interval. Fortunately, the sky completely cleared to a lovely evening blue, even though towards the very end the clouds became dense, black, and heavy looking again, and for a brief moment threatened a second heavy downpour. Fortunately for all involved, it didn’t come. Throughout the performance not a single member of the cast flinched, behaving as though this happened all the time (which, with an open air performance, probably does).
The combination of a solid cast, imaginative set and costume design (ingeniously using plastic frills, torn old ties, and netted crowns), spectacular location, and a brilliant interpretation of the text, made for a very entertaining evening, and also proved that the Creation Theatre Company is one of the most exciting in the country. If you are to see any open-air theatre this summer, Twelfth Night is the only option.
Comments