by William Shakespeare
directed by Bruce De Les Dernier
One of Shakespeare's most brilliant comedies,
Twelfth Night has something for everybody: Romance, clownish pranks,
women dressed as men in love with men, songs, and enduring life philosophies.
The plot revolves around a brother-sister pair of twins who are separated by
shipwreck. Finding herself cast ashore in a strange, and possibly hostile
country, Viola takes on a man's disguise. Falling in love with the sentimental
Duke Orsino, she is herself made the target of affection by the wealthy
Countess Olivia, who has been mourning the death of her brother.
Falling for Viola in her man's habiliments, Olivia opines: "Methinks it is
time to smile again." Indeed, for she rules a household filled with riotous
relatives and servants. But this return to love and mirth is not to the liking
of the dour Malvolio, who is made a target by Olivia's irresponsible Uncle Toby,
and his various companions.
The mix-ups, duels, and torment of the puritanical Malvolio end happily,
however: In the meantime, Viola's twin brother has come safely to land. In
the course of his own adventures, and madcap scenes of mistaken identity,
he is eventually reunited with his sister.
Festival Theatre Ensemble has performed Twelfth Night on one prior occasion
in 1998. It remains a favorite of audiences and cast alike.
Historical Notes:
Shakespeare wrote this play sometime between 1598 and 1602, with some
references from the play itself giving clues to its date of origin. The play's
title bears no relationship to the story, but instead indicates that it was
produced for Queen Elizabeth during the Twelfth Night festival.
Possibly based on some earlier Italian plays, Shakespeare's Twelfth Night
employs wholly original and familiar styles of characters: Highly developed
lown figures such as Feste the jester and Sir Toby Belch; the high-spirited
and adventurous female characters of Viola and Olivia, well-matched matched
with noble Dukes and Viola's intelligent and likeable brother Sebastian.