Review: Twelfth Night, Crucible Theatre

After the success of King Lear last month, the second of the Sheffield Theatres and MGC Shakespeare double-bill, Twelfth Night, with the same ensemble cast has been hugely anticipated. This production also includes Mathew Horne (of Gavin & Stacey fame), playing Malvolio.

The plot is well known: twins Viola and Sebastian are separated in a shipwreck. Viola disguises herself as a boy, Cesario, and is employed by Duke Orsino to help him woo the Countess Olivia. Viola falls for Orsino, Olivia falls for Viola. In a comedy sub-plot Olivia’s drunken uncle Sir Toby Belch, his friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek with her servant Maria scheme to undermine Olivia’s pompous steward, Malvolio. 

The set is a circular stone patio with three stone benches which revolve to create larger seating areas. On the back wall is another circle, huge and illuminated to represent the sun or moon. The production opens with the enigmatic Feste (a charismatic David Birrell) singing ‘The Rain it Raineth Everyday’ with a group of on-stage musicians and seemingly creating the storm that causes the shipwreck. It’s an interesting idea that the fool has such ethereal ability. He comes and goes as he pleases, is outside the social construct and, as with Lear’s Fool, he speaks truth to power. He is neither good nor evil.

The subsequent shipwreck is cleverly presented using ladders, lighting and music. The twins are continually thrown together and then separated again in a chaotic scene with pace and drama. Viola is played well by Bebe Sanders who makes a believable boy. Her scenes wooing Justina Kehinde‘s Olivia are very well executed. The ‘moment’ she shares with Orsino (Fode Simbo) as Feste sings and they look at each other is perfect. In Shakespeare’s time, both Viola and Olivia would have been played by men, so mistaking a girl for her brother would be understandable. In modern productions, the audience has to suspend its disbelief for the device to work. While Sebastian (Harry Redding) and Viola are dressed identically, with the same haircut, it is a bit of a stretch that they could be mistaken for each other, especially by Olivia.

This is detailed direction from Jamie Glover, who finds many delicious comic touches in Shakespeare’s dialogue – a pause here, a sideways look there and the comedy is elevated beyond the language. Sir Toby is often portrayed simply as a drunken buffoon, but he’s more subtle here. Milo Twomey is terrific in the role, playing Sir Toby as fun-loving and mischievous, making no apology for his occasional drunkenness. His breaking wind scene is guaranteed to bring laughter, but it is funny because it isn’t overdone. His companion, the foppish Sir Andrew Aguecheek is played with a delightful light touch by James Chetwood and Katie Wimpenny is excellent as the conniving Maria. 

Malvolio is one of Shakespeare’s most recognisable characters. It’s not a huge role, but provides high comedy as he vainly believes he will eventually win Olivia’s hand. Horne is wonderful in the role. He perfectly captures all the vanity and pomposity, wearing a coiffured wig. When he breaks up drunken late-night revelry in his dressing gown with his wig on backwards, the audience is in hysterics. The scene where he practices smiling and then reveals the cross-gartered stockings go all the way up is hilarious. It’s inspired casting. 

This is a hugely entertaining production and showcases the talent and versatility of this fine company of actors. They could not have played more disparate roles than they have in King Lear and Twelfth Night just weeks apart here at the fabulous Crucible Theatre.

Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Jamie Glover
Set & Costumes Designed by Amanda Stoodley
Lighting Designed by Richard Howell
Composer & Musical Direction by Genevieve Dawson
Sound Designed by Raffaela Pancucci
Movement Direction by Charlotte Broom
Casting Director Matilda James
Associate Director Vicky Moran
Voice & Text Coach Barbara Houseman
Fight & Intimacy Direction by Yarit Dor
Assistant Director Marc Small
A Sheffield Theatres production In association with MGC

Twelfth Night plays at the Crucible Theatre until Saturday 31 October