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Show: Twelfth Night
Society: Maskers Theatre Company, The
Venue: Townhill Park House, (Gregg School), Atlantic View Road, Southampton
Credits: William Shakespeare
Type: Sardines
Author: Meri Mackney
Performance Date: 16/07/2019
Twelfth Night
Meri Mackney | 17 Jul 2019 12:25pm
Maskers have found another beautiful location to set their open-air show in the grounds of Townhill Park House. With a naturally raised area for the stage and plenty of space for picnics, the audience could settle and enjoy the 1980s pre-show music, getting them in the mood for this interpretation of Shakespeare’s witty frolic. The only downside with the venue is being on the flightpath for Southampton Airport, but each of the few planes was greeted by a suitably Shakespearian aside, which did not detract from the performance
I confess that in the first ten minutes, I struggled to make sense of some of the lines but, whether I adjusted to the accents and language or the cast found their timing for open-air acting, after that all was clear. The action is linked by a surprisingly commanding and endearing Feste, played and sung by Hazel Slawson, who also co-wrote the original music with Isaac Treuherz, Surprising to me because I have always found this character rather irritating, but not in this case. Here s/he, deliberately androgynous, is a DJ and guitarist, a device which cleverly allows the scenes to be linked with bursts of 80s music from the disco decks.
The costume department have gone full out on the 1980s theme and it is impossible not to warm to a Duke Orsino (Ruben Sanchez-Garcia), dressed in full Adam Ant style, as he opens the show.
A major issue usually is the casting of believable, supposedly almost identical, twins, who are clearly not identical as Viola is female and Sebastian male. Again, not in this case, as Viola (Suze Avery) and Sebastian (James Fairley) are well-matched in being tall and slim and the illusion is deftly completed through matching costume and fabulous 80s make-up and styling. Suze Avery slips easily between Viola and Cesario, her male disguise, with some lovely comedy reversions to masculinity, and Sebastian exudes a sense of wonder and mischief, uncertain whether he has been transported to heaven or some kind of madhouse. The scenes when Olivia (Ruby Tansy-Thomas) displays her infatuation with Cesario, much to Viola’s discomfort, and Orsino finds himself unexpectedly drawn to Cesario are particularly enjoyable.
No Shakespeare comedy is complete without its, usually unfunny, ‘clowns’. However, these ‘clowns’ had the audience laughing. Adam Taussik reels convincingly about the stage as Sir Toby Belch, clutching a bottle or glass, and ready to make mischief with his partners in crime, Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Olivia’s rejected suitor) and Maria (Olivia’s gentlewoman). Sir Andrew is made a sympathetic fool by newcomer Sam Hussey and the two men are manipulated by the clever, mischievous Maria (Sarah-Jayne Wareham, delivering another comedy master-class). Comic use is made of the trees on the stage area as they play their tricks on Malvolio, the hapless over-bearing steward, in love with his mistress Olivia and all too ready to believe she has fallen for his charms. Alec Walters holds the audience rivetted as he falls for the ruse and the 1980s version of cross-gartering makes this truly funny.
As the light fades and the play moves towards its conclusion, the beauty of the stage and surroundings is enhanced by the lighting which has crept in so effectively. The technical team are to be congratulated for both the skilfulness of the lighting and the effectiveness of the sound. I was at the back and had no difficulty with hearing everything.
Director, Fran Morley, makes a welcome return to directing for Maskers. Her deft touch is evident throughout this tongue-in-cheek production.
This is a shorter run than usual for Maskers’ open-air show, so be sure not to miss it. Runs to Saturday 20th, with a matinee and evening performance on the final day.
- : admin
- : 16/07/2019