Nottingham Playhouse – until 29 July 2023
Reviewed by Jill Heslop
5*****
Summer, Shakespeare, trees, grass, what could be better?
This Nottingham Playhouse outdoor production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night in Wellington Circus park just outside the theatre, was blessed with a dry night and an appreciative audience.
A compact cast of four talented women covered all of the roles with ease; disappearing behind the child friendly scenery of a slide and climbing frame to transform from Orsino to Andrew Aguecheek as A. K. Golding did, coming out riding her hobby horse to the percussion of coconuts being clacked together. What fun!
This is back to basics lively Shakespeare, with minimal technology and maximum talent. The costumes were colourful and bright, emphasising the warmth of the production. The variety of accents used for the different characters worked a treat with Zoe May Dales playing both the pompous Malvolio with his clipped tones and the contrasting Sebastian, exuding a confident masculinity – all played ironically, enjoying the blurring of gender lines.
The use of humour was intelligently done, at times self-referential, with some slapstick and bawdiness and plenty of audience participation. Gestures, physical theatre, and choreography of the fight scenes enhanced the language making this an accessible performance with immaculate timing. The music was used well, to change the atmosphere and add commentary on the action with the audience joining in to help move things along.
Lisa Ambalavanar as Olivia and Maria, also doubled up as Sir Topaz who talks to Malvolio while he is locked away, openly adding the grey beard which was much appreciated by the children in the audience as a cunning disguise. Charlotte East meanwhile was breaking the fourth wall as she attached the beard, taking suggestions of which accent to use, as well as being a mischievous Toby Belch.
This was a lively, delightful production, enjoyed by young and old alike, reminding us that Shakespeare can be fun!