Monday, 8 September 2008

Twelfth Night- TNT

Even though it heavily indulges the musical moments of Shakespeare's dark-tinged comedy, Filter's anarchic production is all over in a bare 85 minutes of misplaced love, drunken revels and electronic music-making. The bare bones and essence of the original are very much in evidence, but this joyous interpretation crams the story into what's staged as a free-wheeling jamming session with a complimentary slice of giant pizza — or possibly a shot of tequila – on offer for the lucky few sitting close enough to the action.
Shipwrecked Viola hides her boobs under a man's jacket requisitioned from a member of the audience, Jonathan Broadbent doubles incongruously as the lovelorn Orsino and a sozzled, back-flipping Andrew Aguecheek whilst OliverDimsdale's equally inebriated Toby Belch (the only character in doublet and hose in this modern dress version) crashes around the cable-filled set quoting from the wrong play. Meanwhile Ferdy Roberts's Malvolio parades around in crotch high yellow socks, proudly displaying his beer belly in a misguided attempt to please Olivia. Despite the clowning and red noses, the darkness is still there. True, the poetry has been sacrificed, but the cast has such a good time that it all proves irresistibly infectious fun – and laughter, after all, is surely what comedy is all about.
Tricycle, Kilburn High Road, NW6 (020-7328 1000). Until September 27. £20.00- £10

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