Twelfth Night ***** TNT
It’s only a few weeks since Filter’s joyously freewheeling and drastically abbreviated version of Shakespeare’s dark-tinged comedy played at the Tricycle, but Michael Grandage’s new production (the second in the Donmar’s West End season) is every bit as enjoyable in a more conventional way.
It’s altogether sunnier – the slatted set opens out onto a beachside vista – and the witty poetry of the language shines through. Victoria Hamilton’s shipwrecked Viola abandons her gorgeously shimmering aquatic gown for male garb to pose as a pert youth in the employment of Duke Orsino (a bare-chested Mark Bonnar, too immersed in his own lovesick misery to bother to dress). Indira Varma’s proud Olivia, the object of his unrequited attentions, is a vain heiress who loses all self control when she, in turn, falls for his cross-dressed employee. Inspired casting pairs pintsize Ron Cook’s inebriated Sir Toby Belch with Guy Henry’s dim-witted beanpole Sir Andrew Aguecheek, whilst Zubin Varla’s tuneful Feste provides the musical accompaniment. And at the heart of what is truly an ensemble piece is Derek Jacobi’s steward, Malvolio. He may be the elder statesman in this excellent cast, but his sense of comedy is still superb. Pompous and preening in his stiff black suit, his gurning attempts to contort his features into what he mistakenly believes to be an Olivia-pleasing smile is worth the price of admission alone.
Wyndhams, Charing Cross Road WC2 (0844 482 5120) Until March 7. Tickets £10-£32.50
It’s only a few weeks since Filter’s joyously freewheeling and drastically abbreviated version of Shakespeare’s dark-tinged comedy played at the Tricycle, but Michael Grandage’s new production (the second in the Donmar’s West End season) is every bit as enjoyable in a more conventional way.
It’s altogether sunnier – the slatted set opens out onto a beachside vista – and the witty poetry of the language shines through. Victoria Hamilton’s shipwrecked Viola abandons her gorgeously shimmering aquatic gown for male garb to pose as a pert youth in the employment of Duke Orsino (a bare-chested Mark Bonnar, too immersed in his own lovesick misery to bother to dress). Indira Varma’s proud Olivia, the object of his unrequited attentions, is a vain heiress who loses all self control when she, in turn, falls for his cross-dressed employee. Inspired casting pairs pintsize Ron Cook’s inebriated Sir Toby Belch with Guy Henry’s dim-witted beanpole Sir Andrew Aguecheek, whilst Zubin Varla’s tuneful Feste provides the musical accompaniment. And at the heart of what is truly an ensemble piece is Derek Jacobi’s steward, Malvolio. He may be the elder statesman in this excellent cast, but his sense of comedy is still superb. Pompous and preening in his stiff black suit, his gurning attempts to contort his features into what he mistakenly believes to be an Olivia-pleasing smile is worth the price of admission alone.
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