“If music be the food of love, play
on”. So begins what for many is
Shakespeare’s greatest comedy. With so
much music involved, it makes a suitable piece for the students at Guildhall, complete with piano and string accompaniment.
Mark Simmonds’ modern set evokes Grecian
architecture with its geometric designs.
Most impressively, the curtains part to the side of the audience (sat in
traverse) revealing an insinuated oceanic vista. The storm scene, in particular, unveils
spectacularly. With such a sparse set,
the costumes notably stand out – largely for their mix of minimalism and extravagance that lacks cohesion.
As expected under the eminent direction of
Patsy Rodenburg, Shakespeare’s verse is spoken eloquently throughout, with some
members of the cast revelling a little too much. The result is a mostly solid ensemble, though
some scenes do drag.
The pace picks up with the colourful
members of Olivia’s household, setting up the comic subplot. The cross-dressing comic device is furthered
by having Feste played by a female: Eva Feiler’s fool sings beautifully
self-accompanied on the accordion. On
the other hand, Tom Lincoln’s Orsino shows great presence and authority and
Jessica Madsen’s Viola/Cesario is charming and articulate, with range of
expression. The casting of Madsen and
Rob Callender as twin brother Sebastian is unusually realistic, lending
believability to the dramatic climax.
Malvolio remains the most intriguing
character and here, played by Stefan Adegbola, his depiction as a victim is
highlighted. Beginning as a statuesque
butler, the infamous ‘yellow stocking’ scene is heightened with Adegbola
emerging dressed in full yellow leotard and self-flagellating in a hilarious
act of bondage. Quickly he is reduced to
a madman in a lunatic asylum, strapped to a wheelchair - a brave move that emphasizes the
tragic elements of the comedy. As the
denouement unfolds, Adegbola delivers the lines with stoic poise for a suitably
grave and poignant ending.
3/5
Watch: Twelfth Night runs from 31st January to 5th February at the Silk Street Theatre.
