Performance review: RSC First Encounters Twelfth Night

The Royal Shakespeare Company is taking its First Encounters production of Twelfth Night to schools and theatres up and down the country. Starting in Birmingham, the production is travelling to Northampton, Cumbria, Blackpool, County Durham, Middlesbrough, York, Bradford, Hull, Nottingham, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Suffolk and Stratford-upon-Avon.

Aimed at bringing Shakespeare and live performance to those who have never seen his work live and to younger audiences, the tour focuses on visiting areas of structural disadvantage. Using edited versions of the original language, First Encounters with Shakespeare productions are 90-minute abridged versions of Shakespeare's plays. Emmie, a student at Selly Park Girls’ School in Birmingham saw the play and outlines her thoughts:

“The RSC’S First Encounters production of Twelfth Night was a celebration of Shakespeare's knack for combining comedy and emotion to create a completely unique performance. It was a clear and exciting first experience of Shakespeare's work for much of the audience, cut down in length, yet still performed with Shakespearean language. The cast included some primary-aged children playing the sailors, but the adult cast was limited. This meant that quick costume changes were vital, but with help from young volunteers and RSC's backstage crew it was swift and did not affect the performance in any way.

Shipwrecked and separated from her beloved twin brother Sebastian, Viola believes the other drowned. Mourning her brother, she enlists the help of young sailors and finds some work with Duke Orsino, who she falls madly in love with. However, the Duke is pining away for a woman called Olivia, with love she does not return. He uses Viola (who is dressed as his manservant and calling herself Cesario) to send love letters to Olivia, who slowly begins to fall for ‘Cesario’.

Twelfth Night is witty, engaging and lively, performed by a hilarious group of actors who relay their love for Shakespeare in their inspiring performances. It is both fun and engaging, perfect for those that haven't quite grasped the different language used in their time. The actors use their facial expressions and voices to make it clear what is happening, and it is easy to understand nuanced conversations. It also provides an opportunity for the audience to gain confidence in themselves, as they are often involved and therefore explore the world of Shakespeare firsthand in a fun and unique way.

I would recommend it to other children who are new to Shakespeare, as it is a performance to seed a love for his work and kickstart ambitions to become the actors, costume designers and playwrights of the future”.

http://rsc.org.uk/first-encounters-twelfth-night/tour-venuesrsc.org.uk/first-encounters-twelfth-night/tour-venues