Review: Twelfth Night (from broadwayaustralia.com)
Monday, April 19, 9:16pm
Brent Thorpe's (director) version of Twelfth Night is somewhat surprising and definitely
spectacular. It is Shakespeare without the boring bits, the Bard with a techno beat banging in the
wings, Old Faithful with a great big twist!
This is not the sort of play that is often seen in a community theatre space. It is rare to see a
show in a community hall that is willing to take risks, create shock value and trample on tradition.
This particular church hall has been utterly transformed. Gone is the high oppressive stage;
replaced by a sultry red curtain surrounded by light bulbs, a lower stage placing the action closer
to the audience and of course lots of dry ice for atmosphere and ambience.
Thorpe and the varied and talented cast impress upon their audience the versatility of
Shakespearian text, and illuminate the sexy, bawdy and hilarious moments in Twelfth Night. Only
a trace of the soppy love story remains, but even then the lovers are homosexual. Thorpe has
switched and changed characters around, cleverly using the exact words of Shakespeare, but
many a time they come from a different character's mouth than originally intended.
The play still tells the same plot, but definitely highlights the downfall of Malvolio as the most
important thread of the story. Viola is removed from the play all together, as are Sebastian and
the Captain. This takes away the confusing love tangle that people remember from the traditional
Twelfth Night.
Thorpe manages to mesh together all the most beautiful lines in the love scenes between Orsino,
Viola, Cesario, Sebastian and Olivia so that if you have never seen the play you would know no
different, and if you have, you are bowled over by the intricacy of the script.
Orsino and Cesario are unnecessary additions to this version of Twelfth Night and unless the
audience is familiar with the plot, difficulty could be had deciphering who these characters are
and what their purpose is. However, they do even out the balance between comedy and drama
and allow the audience more time with the beloved Feste (Richard Cuthbert) and his beautiful
songs.
The comic acting quintet; Maria (Skye Lysaght), Sir Toby Belch (Adam Buck), Sir Andrew
Aguecheek (Liam Miller), Fabian (Lauren McKinnon) and Feste (the fool) act brilliantly as a team.
They bounce off each other and letting the words slide of their tongues with such ease, that the
audience can almost forget it is Shakespeare, and instead that they are sitting in their living
rooms watching an soap opera.
Mckinnon, playing a very spritely looking Fabian is outstanding. Lysaght as the boistrous Maria is
also entertaining with her gaudy outfit and an attitude to match. However the highlight of the night
is the incredible talents of Cuthbert playing Feste. This multi talented actor is the right mix of
sullen and sultry, humorous and humble. He is certainly a pleasure to watch and someone to
watch out for in the future.
If you like Shakespeare in its traditional form this confusing, yet extraordinarily entertaining
version is not for you. However for the more adventurous and even those out for a good night of
alternative theatre, this little gem tucked away in Lane Cove is definitely worth a look!
Twelfth Night plays at the St Andrew's Uniting Church in Longueville, Sydney until May 1.
Bookings: 9645 1611.
- Skye Crawford