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Review: Twelfth Night, Tobacco Factory Theatres – ‘Another triumph from the most exciting acting school in Bristol’
Twelfth Night is a play preoccupied with disguise. In Shakespeare’s time, women were barred from the stage. This means – and stay with me here – the character of Cesario was played by a man pretending to be a woman pretending to be a man.
Confronting directly this exclusionary history, Bristol School of Acting’s latest production opens with new text that foregrounds the absence of women from the early-modern stage, before commencing a bold reimagining of the enduring comedy with an all-female and non-binary cast.
And what a cast it is. In the unusual decision to cast one actor as twins Viola and Sebastian, Director Mabel Aitken entrusted Tianna Lindo with three central roles. Lindo rewards this faith with the utmost professionalism and brilliance. The decision descends into deliberate farce only when the twins are reunited, and Lindo – wearing half a moustache – jump-pivots 180 degrees between each line before turning away and hugging herself.
Following a shipwreck, Viola (disguised as Cesario) begins employment for Duke Orsino (Melisa Hawa Mensah). Orsino is one of the most wonderfully preposterous figures in Shakespeare’s canon, and Mensah’s Duke drips with melodrama and self-pity. Mensah is a joy to watch.
Viola’s employment is contingent on her regaling Olivia (Eleanor Butler) with tales of Orsino’s love for her. Butler seamlessly embodies the slight hauteur and elegance of Olivia, whose irreproachable dispassion is softened as she falls for Cesario.
Olivia’s house is famously filled with a gaggle of supporting characters. None more famous in contemporary culture, of course, than Malvolio (Madeleine Chambers) and his yellow stockings. Chambers is a surreal delight. The fatuous Malvolio’s self-importance is cranked to a ten as Chambers delivers a towering comic performance. I could have watched her all night.
This production is accompanied by live music courtesy of Olivia’s clown, Feste (Clementine Macfarlane). Macfarlane is a special talent, on whose natural charisma this production subtly relies. In this busy but not narratively central role, Macfarlane’s performance is pitched perfectly in careful service of the primary plot. No degree of future success for this young actor would surprise me.
Olivia’s household is completed by the wonderful trio of Sir Toby Belch (Ellé Marie), Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Collette Marie) and Maria (Talia-Jade Jones).
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As Sir Toby, Marie’s comic gravitas and energy truly carry portions of this production. Marie’s is an exceptionally captivating presence, which serves as the focal point for this trio.
Sir Andrew is brilliantly played by Collette Marie. To this hapless character, Marie brings a delightful and unearned pride. Their wonderful performance is an absolutely integral element in this production.
Olivia’s scheming maid, Maria, is brought to mischievous life by Talia-Jade Jones. Jones bristles with chaotic energy, orchestrating the plot to prank Malvolio and laughing like a Hyena as it comes to fruition.
This exceptional production gets off to a very strong start when you first enter the theatre. Holly Coulson’s unbelievably striking and beautiful set is my favourite piece of design so far this year.
Twelfth Night is yet another triumph from the most exciting theatre school in Bristol.
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Bristol School of Acting presents Twelfth Night at Tobacco Factory Theatres on April 2-4 at 7.30pm, with an additional 2.30pm matinee show on Saturday. Tickets are available at www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com. Follow @bristolschoolofacting for updates.
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Read next:
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- Review: Double bill: The Britz/Codetta – ‘Bristol School of Acting is continually producing superb shows’
- Bristol School of Acting dive into the radical, Hamlet-inspired world of ‘Elsinore’
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