| A welcome return to the stage |
At Mappa Mundi |
| Mappa Mundi- Twelfth Night , Sherman Theatre, Cardiff , January 30, 2002 |
| After four years of hibernation, ‘Mappa Mundi’ returns to the stage to present Shakespeare’s classic, “Twelfth Night” in a traditional yet accessible style, which ensured that the auditorium would be full to capacity every night. ‘Mappa Mundi’ are renowned across Wales for bringing a number of classical productions to communities that otherwise would not have had the opportunity. However, like so many others, funding was a problem and they were forced to discontinue this innovative project. This production sees their long awaited return with considerable help from a number of people and a dedicated ensemble. The audience consisted mainly of students, suggesting that this production will provide a valuable tool for those studying it for school or college and much of the humour within the production was aimed towards this age group. Being one of Shakespeare’s comedies there was plenty of room for unique interpretation due to the fact that comedy makes the best use of extravagant body language, facial expression and dramatical pauses. “Mappa Mundi” most definitely felt this too and although at times it seemed a little histrionic, the audience were laughing hysterically, prompting the actors to take the joke a step further! The common Shakespearian themes of love and mistaken identity dominate the play as Orsino (Robert Gwyndaf) claims to be in love with the Countess Olivia (Beth Robert). However, she then falls for the messenger, Orsino’s servant, Viola (Cler Stephens) who just happens to be a woman disguised as a man named Cesario. We are aware from the onset that she has a twin brother, Sebastian (Ceris Jones) who she believes to be lost at sea. Olivia then marries Sebastian accidentally thinking that he is Cesario, but when Cesario then reveals her true identity as a woman Orsino decides to marry her! Running parallel to this complicated love affair are the scenes with the comical characters that spend the majority of the play drunk and playing cruel tricks on the pompous Malvolio (Lloyd Llewelyn-Jones). Sound complicated? Probably best to go and see it and let these highly animated characters tell the tale! |
Reviewed by: Victoria Cooper |
This review has been read 3328 times There are 25 other reviews of productions with this title in our database:
|
