Review: Twelfth Night

Saturday night I went to see the Warehouse Theatre's production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. It was part of the Upstate Shakespeare Festival and performed outdoors in Falls Park on the Reedy (River).


The local paper essentially panned the production, calling it "bedlam" and "frenzied", to which I say, how else should a Shakespearean comedy be played? It was the best kind of bedlam and frenzied in a way that enhanced everyone's enjoyment.

I was truly amazed with the production, even through its odd choices. Perhaps Viola and Sebastian were on an acid trip instead of a sailing ship and that's how they ended up in Illyria. It is costumed as 1960s-era hippies and professionals. Sadly I have no pictures of the performance as photography was banned, and understandably so. The swordfight happens about 30 minutes after sunset, just as the actors' eyes are adjusting to the stage lighting. Flashes going off at that moment would be very bad.


Of the main characters, the only two with whom I had any issue were Malvolio and Viola. He wasn't nearly mean enough at the beginning so when he comes out dressed in yellow, prancing and smiling, there wasn't enough of a contrast to really affect the audience. The part requires him to go from essentially Lurch with acid reflux to Wakko Warner. Viola just felt amateurish. Her phrasing and gesticulation were inconsistent and didn't really help draw the audience into the illusion.

Olivia was outstandingly manic while pursuing Cesario. Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and the maids were hilarious and quite easy to understand. Aguecheek deserves special accolades. The part of the "silly knight" is too often played as farce, but the actor made him completely believable and sympathetic. You felt bad that he was never going to get Olivia. Maria the maid needs to get a job at a Ren Faire.

Those playing the most minor parts were very uninteresting. They shouted their lines out as though they were offended their part was so small. The smallest parts can steal the show, especially in Shakespeare (see: the beggar in Macbeth and Peter in Romeo and Juliet). They didn't seem to be having any fun and stumbled through their parts.

Some important person was making a speech. In fact, this is just after he said, "If you want any pictures of people on stage, you had better take a picture now, because photos are banned during the production." So I took his picture.



Oh, look, even the Theater People Who Try Too Hard (Local 4599) showed up. Yes, she is wearing ski goggles. I wasn't able to get a picture of the guy who was wearing the gold lamé tee-shirt; he stayed behind the crowds often. Yeah. Universal. Quick: name the endearing theater-people stereotypes! (I only mock because these are my people. I may not wear the clothes, but I am at home among them.)


In short, if anyone reads this who is in the Greenville area, go see this show! It's well worth your time and it's free.