Twelfth Night - Full Play

22.07.2023

Twelfth Night, or What You Will is a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare that is believed to have been written around 1601–1602 as a Twelfth Night entertainment for the close of the Christmas season. The play centres on the twins Viola and Sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck. Viola (who is disguised as Cesario) falls in love with the Duke Orsino, who in turn is in love with Countess Olivia. Upon meeting Viola, Countess Olivia falls in love with her thinking she is a man.
The play expanded on the musical interludes and riotous disorder expected of the occasion with plot elements drawn from the short story "Of Apollonius and Silla" by Barnabe Rich, based on a story by Matteo Bandello. 
The first documented public performance was on 2 February 1602, at Candlemas, the formal end of Christmastide in the year's calendar. The play was not published until its inclusion in the 1623 First Folio.
Synopsis:Viola is shipwrecked on the coast of Illyria and she comes ashore with the help of a captain. She has lost contact with her twin brother, Sebastian, whom she believes to be drowned, and with the aid of the Captain, she disguises herself as a young man under the name Cesario and enters the service of Duke Orsino.
Duke Orsino has convinced himself that he is in love with Olivia, who is mourning the recent death of her brother. She refuses to see entertainments, be in the company of men, or accept love or marriage proposals from anyone, the Duke included, until seven years have passed. Duke Orsino then uses 'Cesario' as an intermediary to profess his passionate love before Olivia. Olivia, however, falls in love with 'Cesario', setting her at odds with her professed duty. In the meantime, Viola has fallen in love with Duke Orsino, creating a love triangle: Viola loves Duke Orsino, Duke Orsino loves Olivia, and Olivia loves Viola disguised as Cesario.
The play ends in a declaration of marriage between Duke Orsino and Viola, and it is learned that Sir Toby has married Maria. Malvolio swears revenge on his tormentors and stalks off, but Orsino sends Fabian to placate him.
The Play:The Texas Shakespeare Festival's 2015 production of Twelfth Night
Written by: William ShakespeareDirected by: Deb AlleyAssistant Director: Amelia R. BahrFight Director: Lee ErnstVocal Director: Jennifer BurkeScenic Design: Fred M. DuerCostume Design: Colleen MuschaLighting Design: Chelsea TouchetSound Design: Anthony NarcisoOriginal Music: Andrew J. Tarr
Featuring:Matthew Simpson as OrsinoNathan Salstone as Musician/PriestHenry Ayres-Brown as CurioNick Bryant as ValentineCaitlin Cavannaugh as ViolaCaitlin Hargraves as MariaRick Higginbotham as Sir Toby BelchBilly Reed as Andrew AguecheekJeff Raab as FesteMeaghan Simpson as OliviaMicah Goodding as MalvolioJames Romney as SebastianPeter Hargrave as AntonioBraden Spear as Sea Captain/FabianJesse Hinton as Sailor/First OfficerMason Conrad as Sailor/First Servant/Second OfficerMarian van Noppen as First Lady Shunté Lofton as Second Lady
The Movie:Sir Alec Guinness, Sir Ralph Richardson and Joan Plowright star in this merry on-stage mix-up of identity, gender and love in Tony Award-winner John Dexter’s production of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. 
Originally broadcast on Britain’s ITV, this classic performance captures all the slapstick, puns and double entendres that have amazed and amused audiences for over four hundred years.1969, UK, Drama,Comedy,RomanceDirector: John Sichel