2027-28 Proposal: Twelfth Night

Twelfth Night, or What You Will 

by William Shakespeare

Directed by Robert Leff

Show Synopsis

Twelfth Night, or What You Will is a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written around 1601–1602 as a Twelfth Night entertainment for the close of the Christmas season. The play centres on the twins Viola and Sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck. Viola (disguised as a page named 'Cesario') falls in love with the Duke Orsino, who in turn is in love with Countess Olivia. Upon meeting Viola, Countess Olivia falls in love with her, thinking she is a man.

The play expanded on the musical interludes and riotous disorder expected of the occasion, with plot elements drawn from Barnabe Rich's short story "Of Apollonius and Silla", based on a story by Matteo Bandello. The first documented public performance was on 2 February 1602, at Candlemas, the formal end of the Christmastide–Epiphanytide season in the Christian liturgical year's calendar. The play was not published until its inclusion in the 1623 First Folio.

Vision Statement

I have directed AS YOU LIKE lT, THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S

DREAM and THE COMEDY OF ERRORS. I was the AD for a production of HAMLET.

Twelfth Night, or What You Will is a comedy about desire. "Desire is a strong feeling of wanting for something. lt functions both as a noun - representing a longing, craving, or sexual appetite - and a verb, meaning to wish, request, or long for earnestly." Ten of the characters are overflowing with desire. We, the audience, watch what the characters will do to fulfill their desires. For some, their actions are funny; for others, their actions are dark. Some reach their goal and others do not.

As a director, this mix of light and dark appeals to me. The challenge is to find the balance between the two. Yes, the play is funny and will appeal to the audience. Some scholars believe this play was written around the time Shakespeare wrote HAMLET. The Prince and the characters in Twelfth Night wonder, "Who am l?" Twelfth Night is also a play about identity. There is an age-old question directors are asked as they set out to direct the Bard: "What's your concept?" My snap answer is, "To do the play." I don't want to give the impression there will be no guide or focus the production. Long before the first night of auditions and first rehearsal, I must have a clear idea of how I see the characters, what the scene is about, and how each scene fit together and furthers the story. ln short, I set the playing field's boundaries, which gives the actors a home base. ln short, we know where we start from and where we end; we don't know what we'll discover along the way. I don't need to have all the answers; I do need to know the best one no matter who provides it.

Why Do The Play Now: It's a funny play with memorable characters. We need more laughter in our lives. The play is well-known and popular. From the actors point of view, the characters are roles to sink your teeth in.

Time Period: It will be set during the 1910s. It was a time of change. Clothes were less restrictive and women were influenced by what men wore and hairstyles changed, etc.

12th Night in 12th Night: This not a sit-in-the-corner-and-don't-speak-until-your-are-spoken-to play. As befits the biggest and final celebration of the season, the play is bold and loud. It is not loud just to be loud.