"A special commendation" - Twelfth Night @ Bristol Old Vic

By Grace Kendrick, Law MA

Grace Kendrick reviews Bristol Old Vic's bold and exciting interpretation of Shakespeare's classic comedy.

The stage opens with a group of intoxicated friends continuing their hedonistic house party. As the group seek to find new entertainment, they fall upon a copy of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night - and so the play truly begins. The opening scenery of the house remains the frame of the performance; as the group begins to read out the play, the young friends each transform into one of Shakespeare’s characters. This transition eases the audience into a production which propels Twelfth Night’s original themes of gender confusion, cross-dressing and romance into a modern world.

The plot follows the separation of two identical twins during a storm at sea, and explores the relationships that are formed in their journey to find each other. The comedy evolves through these new relationships, in addition to the re-occurring confusion caused by a cross-gendered cast and cross dressing characters - the identical twins Viola and her brother Sebastian are both played by women and ironically, look nothing alike. As the play unfolds, the audience becomes wrapped up in a confusion of genders and desires ignited by mistaken identities. But despite the intertwining plot, the audience is well guided by the play's excellent staging.

"as the play unfolds, the audience becomes wrapped up in a confusion of genders and desires ignited by mistaken identities"

A beautifully designed set and colorful costumes complement the production's bohemian vibe. Nearly every male actor sports a glamorous pair of platforms, and the female actresses are tailored in sharp suits. A special mention must go to the extravagant appearance of the puritan character Malvolio - no expense is spared as the love-sick butler enters the stage in yellow-stockings, to deliver a dramatic monologue accompanied by excellent lighting effects.

The utilization of musical additions runs throughout the performance. Actors and musicians transition between their own characters and playing an array of musical instruments including the pipes, piano and flute. However, like other aspects of the play, the musical numbers push on to a borderline pantomime style at times. Nonetheless, while these additions are overworked on occasions, they are certainly an entertaining way of delivering the play to a contemporary audience.

"this latest production of Shakespeare's classic comedy brings fun and fresh energy to the stage"

The productions retains Shakespeare's full original script, which means the three hour performance demands huge efforts from the cast to maintain audience attention. Despite this, through a continually busy set and excellent use of the theatre space, the audience is not disappointed by the opportunities for a good laugh which are spread throughout the play.

Overall, a special commendation must go to Bristol Old Vic and the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh on this excellent co-production. A promising baptism of the newly re-opened Bristol Old Vic, this latest production of Shakespeare's classic comedy brings fun and fresh energy to the stage.

★★★★

Twelfth Night is on at the Bristol Old Vic until the 17th November - click here for more information and ticket details.

(Featured image credits: Amy Shamblen)

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