The Story - TWELFTH NIGHT
(written c.1599-1600)

After a violent storm, Viola finds herself shipwrecked off the coast of Illyria. Convinced her twin brother Sebastian has drowned, she disguises herself as a boy and offers her services to the Duke Orsino as a page named Cesario.

Duke Orsino is in love with the beautiful Countess Olivia. She, however, is in mourning for the death of her father and brother and refuses his suit. Orsino sends Cesario to woo the lady Olivia on his behalf, but Olivia is smitten with the lovely 'boy'. Cesario (Viola), on the other hand, falls in love with Orsino.

Olivia's kinsman, Sir Toby Belch, encourages Sir Andrew Aguecheek to stay with him at Olivia's estate as another suitor to the Countess. Sir Andrew's wealth is providing the means for Sir Toby to carouse nightly with his friend and with Olivia's Fool, Feste. Olivia's steward, Malvolio, interrupts the festivities, insults them and threatens to persuade Olivia to send them all away. Led by the ingenuity of Maria, Olivia's maid, these three plot Malvolio's downfall. She writes a cryptic love letter to him in Olivia's handwriting, telling him to smile constantly, wear yellow stockings, and dress cross-gartered - all of which Olivia detests. In great anticipation of romantic success, Malvolio calls on Olivia, attired and behaving as the letter suggests. She, however, thinks he has gone mad and, at Maria's suggestion, he is locked away in a dark room.

At the seashore a miraculous rescue has taken place - Viola's twin brother, Sebastian, has been saved by a mariner named Antonio. Because he is wanted by the law, Antonio must lie low. He lends Sebastian some money and sends him into town, arranging to meet him later.

Orsino sends Cesario back to Olivia with yet another plea. The Countess openly declares her growing affection for Cesario. Sir Toby convinces Aguecheek to challenge Cesario to a duel. As Cesario and Aguecheek begin their fight, Antonio arrives. Thinking that Cesario is Sebastian, Antonio steps in to save his friend. An officer arrives and, recognizing Antonio, arrests him. He appeals to Cesario for assistance who, of course, denies knowing him.

To add to the confusion, Sebastian has wandered onto Olivia's grounds. Olivia, assuming him to be Cesario, proclaims her love and desire for marriage. Although somewhat bewildered at the abrupt proposal, Sebastian accepts and they are secretly wed.

Twin sister and brother finally come face to face, revealing Cesario's true identity and the numerous cases of misplaced affection. The Duke, having become quite fond of Viola while she was disguised as Cesario, decides to marry her. Lady Olivia is very pleased to have both a husband and a sister-in-law. Upon discovering that the love letter was in fact a joke, Malvolio promises revenge. Orsino sends someone after Malvolio to make up with him and everyone else exits to celebrate. Feste ends the tale with a bittersweet song to send us on our way.

THE STAGING

Director David Mackay sets this production in the 1920s in a stylized, romanticized homage to the 1920's Hollywood movie. The action takes place in a luxurious art deco New York apartment as the carefree privileged dabble at falling in love. The slapstick characters of the silent movie era find expression in the comic roles of Toby Belch, Maria and Aguecheek.