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Twelfth Night

Hart House stages Shakespeare's popular comedy against the casual backdrop of a local tavern

By Annie Hodgins • November 9, 2013

Presented by Hart House Theatre
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Matthew Gorman

Photo by Scott Gorman.

Echoing the timelessness of one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies, director Matthew Gorman has rightfully chosen to stage Hart House’s 2013 production of Twelfth Night “in no particular country, in no particular time.”

This classic tale of love, jealousy, revenge, subterfuge, sex, rivalry, gender play, class, and shipwrecked twins washing up on the same island unbeknownst to each other (you know, the usual) unfolds within the cozy confines of everyone’s favourite neighbourhood pub, The Elephant. The production cleverly mixes folk music and dance with the Bard’s script to produce an entertaining rendition of this early modern classic. The cast delivers, with notable performances from Alison Blair, whose mischievous, headstrong Maria is delightful, and Arlin Dixon, whose embodiment of the deliciously cerebral, cunning diva Olivia is spot on.

It is particularly fun to watch this play performed on a university campus, as the plot seems so well attuned to that particular stage of life: Viola loves Orsino, Orsino loves Olivia, Olivia loves Cesario, and everyone is miserable. Ah, the joys of being young.

Twelfth Night runs until November 23 at Hart House Theatre. Visit harthouse.ca for more information and to buy tickets.