TWELFTH NIGHT
Fairfield House Meadows, Nelson
12/01/2018 - 20/01/2018
Production Details
January 6th or ‘Twelfth Night’, historically marks the end of Christmastide and is celebrated with feasts, games, entertainment and Christmas carols. Shakespeare’s play, Twelfth night, or what you will, was first performed as part of Twelfth Night festivities in 1602.
And now, audiences throughout Nelson can enjoy Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night this January.
Director Giles Burton, who brought us A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 2017, is looking forward to sharing his love of Shakespeare once again this year.
“Twelfth Night has a fantastic mix of all-out comedy and a great love story. It’s like a classy rom-com.”
Twelfth Night is an hilarious and heart-breaking tale of unrequited love, shipwrecked twins, disguises, plots and counter-plots, and is considered one of Shakespeare’s most adored plays. While perhaps not as well known as some of his great tragedies, Burton says that it has fantastic characters.
“They’re relatable and they’re flawed,” says Burton.
“All of them have difficulties and even Malvolio, the villain, has his charm about him. Although he’s more like a pantomime villain in that we love to hate him,” Burton adds.
Together with a mix of professional actors and emerging talent, Burton is delivering up 25 shows across four stunning outdoor venues this summer.
“It’s a really interesting way to see shows like Shakespeare, and it makes a fantastic evening out without the formality of a theatre.”
“It makes it a good way to introduce people to Shakespeare.”
Burton says that the issues and themes within Shakespeare’s plays are universal and that the comedy and story still translates.
Twelfth Night is playing at:
Fairfield House Meadows, Nelson
January 11 to 20
6.30pm
Wet weather venue: The Granary, Founders Park, Nelson
Washbourn Gardens, Richmond
January 25 and 26
6.30pm
Riverside Community, 289 Main Road Lower Moutere
January 27 and 28
6.30pm.
Raetihi Lodge in Marlborough
January 24
6pm
All shows are pay as much as you decide on the night. No performances if wet (except as above). Follow their FB page ‘Nelson Summer Shakespeare’ for event details and performance updates or go to nelsonshakespeare.nz.
The cast comprises: Dan Allan, Laura Irish, Tami Mansfield, Dylan Hutton, Anton Bentley, Saul Richard, Georgia Chapple, Dan Merry and Lisa Allan.
The Shipwrecked Twins
Viola: Laura Irish
Sebastian: Dylan Hutton
Their Rescuers
A Sea Captain: Saul Gibney
Antonio - A Sea Captain: Daniel Merry
Orsio, The Duke of Illyria’s Household
Orsino: Dan Allan
Curio: Dylan Hutton
Valentine: Daniel Merry
Olivia, a gentlewoman of Illyria’s Household
Olivia: Tami Mansfield
Maria – Maid to Olivia: Lisa Allan
Malvolio – A Steward: Dan Allan
Sir Toby Belch – Uncle to Olivia: Anton Bentley
Sir Andrew Aguecheek – A Gentleman: Saul Gibney
Feste - A Fool: Georgia Chapple
Fabian - A servant: Daniel Merry
Other parts played by members of the company
Director: Giles Burton
Costumes: Pauline Farley
Props: Alli Campbell
Music: Georgia Chapple
Dance: Tami Mansfield
Sound: Luca Ware
Trumpet: Saul Gibney
Theatre , Outdoor , Family ,
2 hrs 30 mins, including interval
Relaxation and entertainment at its best
Review by Melanie Stewart 15th Jan 2018
After having to cancel opening night due to inclement weather the cast and crew were relieved to find an alternative venue where their audience could watch this outstanding piece of theatre without fear of drowning.
If director Giles Burton’s aim was to produce a play that is accessible to all, he has succeeded. The Friday audience has an age range of about 70 years but each member of the audience remains fully engaged for the full 2½ hours.
The performance opens with a simple but effective depiction of a shipwreck. This is the precursor for the rest of the plot and quickly gives the audience an understanding of the circumstances surrounding Viola’s predicament. From there, shrewd direction choices, slick acting and strong characterisations ensure the audience can follow the complicated plot with ease.
The set choice is also simple and well thought out. A tent and two chairs are all that are used with the two households illustrated by the effortless rotation of two cushions, sometimes subtly and sometimes with comic intent. The black side aptly represents Countess Olivia’s state of mourning and the more jovial striped side the house of Orsino, the lovesick Duke of Illyria.
This is an equally matched cast. Each actor performs with utter conviction. Dan Allan’s Malvolio has the crowd in stitches with his antics and near perfect comic timing and Anton Bentley plays Sir Toby Belch, the uncouth drunk, way too convincingly.
Laura Irish is strong and compelling as Viola. Lisa Allan (Maria) and Tami Mansfield (Olivia) are both consummate performers who deliver their characters with an ease and naturalness that reflects their experience and Saul Gibney is an extraordinary bumbling Sir Andrew.
Two of the youngsters of the cast Dylan Hutton (Sebastian) and Dan Merry (Antonio) perform well beyond their years and have bright futures in front of them.
My favourite of the night, Georgia Chapple, plays the rapscallion Feste with a wonderfully understated and beguiling lack of affectation.
I plan to see this again, when the weather clears up, outside in its intended setting. Nothing is lost from this production by bringing it inside (apart from the occasional voice staining to get over the sound of the rain) but the play deserves to be accompanied by a good pinot and tasty brie and outside is more conducive to a good picnic. This is relaxation and entertainment at its best.
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