Twelfth Night at Shakespeare’s Globe

These plays based on love feature authentic music, costumes and theatre practices from Elizabethan times and begins with Twelfth Night (or What You Will) and an all male cast.

In a tale of love, confused and misdirected love, and cross dressing we are transported to the land of Illyria where a recently shipwreck Viola is washed up. Changing name and sex she enters the service of Duke Orsino who she secretly desires. Whilst on an errand for the Duke, delivering a love letter to the Countess Viola, she becomes horrified to find that Viola has fallen madly in love with her.

Direct by Tim Carroll who gave us a modern jazzy version of Macbeth last year, Twelfth Night sticks to its intended historical milieu. In its Elizabethan trappings the effects of love on the individual is the predominant theme explored. Costumes, comedy and fine acting especially from Michael Brown (Viola) and Mark Rylance (Olivia), combine to produce a
feast of Shakespearian drama at its finest.
• Shakespeare's Globe website