My blog inspiration book, Everything I Need to Know I learned From a Little Golden Book, says that we should, “take in some culture
once in a while.” What better way to do that than with a little Shakespeare! In Day 191, I enjoyed the musical comedy, “Something Rotten,” which was about the
birth of musical theater during the Renaissance to compete with the popularity
of Shakespeare. Therefore, I thought that taking in the “real deal,” Twelfth Night, a Shakespeare
comedy, would be appropriate.
 |
| Feste, sings in a jazzy/ragtime genre Photo by Micheal Henninger |
Reflection
If you are like me and have not seen or read any Shakespeare
since you were forced to do so in high school, this production is a good way to
experience it again and “get some culture.” It is full of laughs, people in search of love,
and it’s not that difficult to follow. Maybe it was appealing to me because this version is set in the pre-World War 1 era, in 1912. Shakespeare
included three songs for the jester (Feste), who is the “fool” in this version, and these songs are sung in a jazzy/ ragtime genre.
 |
| Olivia shows affection to Viola as Cesario Photo by Micheal Henninger |
Twelfth Night has a lot of characters falling in love, with a twist. The
play opens with a young woman (Viola)
who is shipwrecked and believing that
her brother (Sebastian) has drowned, and that she is alone in a new land, she disguises
herself as a man (Cesario) to find work. Viola, in the man disguise, works for the nobleman (Duke Orsino) who she eventually falls in love with. The
play starts with Orsino agonizing over his love for a Lady Olivia. Lady
Olivia falls for Viola as Cesario, when Cesario is sent by Orsino to profess his love for her. You get the picture, there is a lot of people
falling in love with the wrong person producing a humorous love triangle. Eventually, it all gets sorted out and everyone
finds their perfect match for blissful happiness.
 |
| Sir Toby, Maria, & Fabian plotting a trick on Malvolio photo by Micheal Henninger |
There are a bunch of strong characters that steal their scene and there are other plots going on too. Lady Olivia’s uncle (Sir Toby Belch) was my favorite
character as a jolly, happy go lucky, drinking party boy (not unlike a few
people that I know). Sir Toby elicits a lot of laughs when he frolics
about with his friend (Sir Andrew
Aguecheek) and the fool, Feste. Sir Andrew also has a crush on Lady
Olivia and Sir Toby has a romantic
interest in Lady Olivia’s waiting-gentlewomen
(Maria).
 |
| Malvolio trying to impress Olivia Photo by Micheal Henninger |
These four characters like to “party” and since their fun is
often spoiled by the staunch steward of the home (Malvolio), they trick him into thinking that Lady Olivia loves him by forging a letter from Lady Olivia. In the letter, he is told to wear yellow stockings and constantly smile to win her love. Thinking to be mad, Malvolio ends up in an asylum because of his strange behavior and his advances toward Lady Olivia. I felt
bad for Malvolio, who was in my opinion, was bullied but I think that is how we
are supposed to feel.
 |
| Duke Orsino and Viola fall in love Photo by Micheal Henninger |
Like all plays at the O’Reilly, the smaller theater size (650 seats), enhances
the action making it up close and personal no matter where you sit.
This fast moving play with colorful characters is the perfect way to celebrate the
month of love and to “take in some culture” especially if you’re like me, new
to Shakespeare.
(The play run until February 26, 2017 at the O'Reilly Theater as part of the Cultural Trust Events )
Other Sources
Notes on Twelfth Night http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/twelfthnight/summary.html
Cultural Trust https://trustarts.org/production/47687/twelfth-night