Twelfth Night

This is all my thoughts on Twelfth Night that I may use for another piece of coursework.

Director's Interpretations

• The director had modernised the play and changed it from the 1600s to 1800s
• The director had chosen to keep it to the original Shakespearean tongue and stay close to the script however adding a few modern lines in here and there
• He had also chosen to make a few scenes more comical using the set, for instance the music playing scene and the scene in the box tree.
• Overall, the casting was good apart from the character of Olivia was a little too old as she overpowered Sebastian too much
• The director had also chose not to have too many costume changes although the costumes were quite elaborate however I think the necessary changes were made so there was the right amount, for instance when Olivia was getting married she couldn't have stayed in her sombre black dress.
• The director also chose to end the play on a melancholy feel which surprised me as two marriages had just taken place and the twins reunited. It showed it wasn't a good ending for everyone and also one of the messages of the play, how things can be misinterpreted.
• He/She also chose to add the songs which I'm not sure were necessary as the man wasn't the best singer and almost weakened his performance as he was a strong actor.

Set

• They had used lights to change the setting and to show the location, for instance the light you could see through the door suggested a hot, desert outside and the spotlights created a cold atmosphere in the prison
• Not an excessive amount of set but just enough including the box tree, the bench, chairs, the cone shaped trees, the rug and cushions and hanging oriental lanterns.
• The cone shaped trees weren't entirely used effectively however helped to fill the stage to create an atmosphere in order to aid the actors.
• The wave at the back was effective as helped create the ship wreck but also a more enclosed atmosphere showing they were inside. Lights also helped to create the sea at the start which was efective as even though the set didn't drastically changed you knew what had happened.
• The box tree was highly effective as created levels and allowed the audience to see two different points of view
• The cushions and lanterns helped us to feel we were in an almost middle eastern country so helped with the believability of the story
• The screen at the back helped to show what time of day it is which also helped with the mood, for instance in the prison, which also helped to progress the story

Comedy

• The scene with the box tree was extremely comical especially when they stood up and sat down and also pocked their head through. The fact that Malvolio didn't know was also comical so it was funny due to his unawareness.
• The scene where Olivia was getting angry but still wanted to be loving to her husband was also extremely comical due to the extreme switch in her tone of voice. Despite this, I did think this went on for a little too long as the humour began to wear off.
• The character of the fool was also very funny for instance when he was stuck in the tree and also his naivety throughout the play. His costume was also quite comical due to the checkered trousers.
• When Malvolio was trying to woo Olivia was also highly amusing due to the yellow stockings and because he was an older man almost trying to do a strip tease. The fact that he was unaware of Olivia's horrified reaction and carried on showing off in front of her was also comical.
• The other scene that was also very clever but also comical as it was unexpected was the music making scene as the many ways in which they managed to make music were amusing as it was almost like they had become children again although they were creating a very good sound.
• The character that passed wind to the audience was also very humorous.

Characters

• Malvolio- grew stronger throughout the play as I found I couldn't hear all his lines at the start, created a believable contrast in the character, from serious to mad, which was effective in the story and also comical.
• Olivia- found her voice very annoying and didn't really suit the character as sounded almost like a wicked witch, a little shouty also at times, stayed in character and very believable shock when the realisations in the play took place
• Viola- could have used more facial expressions, found her dancing a little strange, was a believable male due to posture and voice, good interactions with the audience in monologues allowed us to empathise with her
• Sebastian- Good naivety throughout but I think he should have been more surprised when he had found his long lost sister at the end. I also felt some of his lines were lost.
• Maria- A bubbly character who had a good audience awareness and you really felt she was a caring but slightly cranky character so very realistic portrayal.
• Orsino- I really felt he was infatuated by his love for Olivia but he also came across as quite duke-like. He also came across as areal gentleman which allowed the audience to almost fall in love with him how Viola does. His voice really suited the character too as was quite formal but more relaxed when with Viola/Cesario
• Feste- Very comical for example when putting the lights up and down at the start of act two. He really listened to the other characters and also came across as a little camp which suited his character.