Twelfth Night

by William Shakespeare

directed by Annie Eddington

Twelfth Night is one of the favourites of Shakespeare's comedies wrapping humour in a mixture of jealousy, mistaken identity, cross-dressing, pranks and the odd fight.

Viola, newly shipwrecked and separated from her brother Sebastian, cross dresses and takes the man's name of Cesario to gain employment in the service of the Duke of Illyria, Orsino, and eventually falls in love with him. Orsino though longs for the love of neighbouring countess Olivia but she's sworn off all men as she mourns the death of her brother.

Meanwhile. Viola's identical twin Sebastian appears having not, as Viola feared, perished in the shipwreck. Living in Olivia’s household is her gregarious uncle Sir Toby Belch, who - along with his cohort Sir Andrew Aguecheek - plays a trick on the pompous and conceited Malvolio taking advantage of the fact he is in love with Olivia.

All ends well as the love triangle - complicated by mistaken identities - is eventually resolved to the satisfaction of all.