Twelfth Night

Bell Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night played a short season at WA’s State Theatre Centre, as part of the National Tour which concludes at the Sydney Opera House in November.

A little bit of an unconventional start to Opening Night in Perth, with the originally scheduled 6.30pm start put back to 8pm to allow patrons to watch the Matildas play England. Australia’s defeat probably didn’t leave the audience in the best mood to watch a show, but by the second act the audience had relaxed, and laughs were flowing more freely.

Charles Davis’ touring set design features an amazing fallen tree that dominates the set and later breaks apart to be used in innumerable ways. Costumes, also designed by Charles Davis, pay a nod to the Elizabethan era and allow some fun throughout, with the most striking interpretation of yellow stockings and cross garters I have ever seen. 

Twelfth Night centres around the fortunes of twins Sebastian and Viola, who are shipwrecked, both believing the other to have died. Viola, disguised for a number of reasons as pageboy Cesario, bares more than a passing resemblance to her brother, accidentally winning the affection of the Lady Olivia, and much chaos ensues. This production has male actor Alfie Gledhill play Viola (after the first few minutes) while actress Isabel Burton plays Sebastian. The gender swap extends the queer coding already within the play and is an interesting experiment although there was some confusion among the audience, and while both actors perform with excellence, the decision gives one of Shakespeare’s better female roles to a male.

Having said that, the role of Malvolio, as seems to be a trend, once again becomes Malvolia - and is brilliantly played by Jane Montgomery in a bravura performance, the most complex and sympathetic interpretation of the role I have ever seen. Her affection for Olivia, played with elegance and grace by Ursula Mills, is palpable and touching. 

Villains and comedians Toby Belch, Andrew Aguecheek and Maria, are played with great timing and lovely camaraderie by Keith Agius, Mike Howlett and Amy Hack, while clown Feste feels a little like Cabaret’s MC in the hands of Tomáš Kantor - who also sings superbly. The cast is well completed by Garth Holcombe, a worthy love interest as Orsino and Chrissy Mae excellent as Antonio and in various cameos.

An interesting interpretation of Twelfth Night that may be easier to follow for the Shakespeare regulars than the many school children that will see this production - but a beautifully presented piece of theatre.

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Brett Boardman.