Twelfth Night

This was my first visit to MHP Theatre Company as their NODA Rep and I was very much looking forward to seeing their adaptation of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy, based around a brother and sister separated by a shipwreck.

We were warmly greeted by the Director who, after introducing us to the Assistant Director and two people on Front of House duty, showed us to our seats from where we had an excellent view of the open stage.  This was very well dressed with a good choice of furniture and some lovely whimsical touches, some of which were continued around the walls of the venue.  A thrust centre stage was dressed to represent the waterfront with crabs and other sea creatures at audience level.

Twins Viola and Sebastian were very well played by Alyssa Upton and Helen Rees. Costumes was perfectly matched and it was amazing how much like twins they really looked. They certainly had me confused for a while. Chris Griggs was Feste, depicted here as a piano accordion playing Morris Man, who could have passed as the real thing. 

I was surprised to learn that Ginny Elliston as Valentine, The Posh Totty was making her stage debut. Dressed as though she might be off to Ascot, she gave a confident and commendable performance.

Adam Thompson is an experienced actor with a very authoritative stage voice, making him ideal for the role of Orsino, The Big Shot. Concetta Clarizio, as Olivia, the Beauty, had certainly upped the glamour since the last production I saw her in. Good characterisations from both.

A lovely comedic performance by Chris Millington as Mariah the Mischievous Maid, dressed in a brocade jacket and armed with rubber gloves and a feather duster.

Gem Colton as Sir Toby Belch, The Rocker, permanently inebriated and looking for all the world like an escapee from Black Sabbath, and Linda Helm-Marley as Sir Andrew Aguecheek, The Raver, in gold trousers and pink hat, really threw themselves into their roles, literally in some cases. Two quite amazing performances.

Jack Downey was Malvolio, The Suck-Up.  I have written in my notes – very expressive, although that is nowhere near descriptive enough. From the moment he first came on stage, as the character, the audience were in fits of laughter. The facial expressions combined with the over the top delivery of his dialogue and excellent comedic timing took this characterisation to a different level. As for the yellow stockings and cross garters, I’m almost lost for words. A superb performance throughout.

Mike Rees as Antonio the Sailor and Richard Stockwell as The Priest completed the line-up. 

Costumes had been well chosen and the mixture of modern and traditional music played on instruments of the period, was an ingenious touch. The action moved at a cracking pace and the attention to detail throughout could not be faulted.  The occasional loss of cue was soon picked up and covered by other actors in a very professional manner.

Congratulations to everyone involved in this brilliantly adapted and extremely funny production.

Thank you for inviting me and for your warm welcome. We had a most enjoyable evening.

 

 

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