Twelfth Night or What You Will – Shakespeare’s Globe

In the fictional Illyria, most of the inhabitants are enjoying a crazy summer festival, getting drunk, dancing and singing while adored in masks and oversized head-dresses. But not all the Illyrians are so joyful. Olivia, in mourning after the death of her brother; Duke Orsino, desperately in love with Olivia; and the steward Malvolio, who is also in love with Olivia, are too melancholy to take part in the revelries. Into this mix comes shipwrecked Viola, thrown into a world she must quickly come to understand, while still grief-stricken over the loss of her twin brother, Sebastian, who she believes has perished at sea.  She disguises herself as Cesario and becomes steward to Duke Orsino only to then fall head over heels in love with the duke. When Orsino sends Cesario to woo Olivia on his behalf, the countess is enraptured by the “young man”, quickly casting off her mourning.  Alongside this complex set of relationships, the pompous and strait-laced Malvolio is the subject of a malicious plot to humiliate him by the dissolute Andrew Aguecheek, Lady Belch and the interfering maid Maria. 

The cast bring great pace and energy to this production, focusing on every comedic beat, slapstick opportunity and some hilarious audience participation moments.  Ronkẹ Adékọluẹ́jọ́’s Viola/Cesario shows a convincing contrast between the two characters. The conspiratorial trio of Belch (Jocelyn Jee Esien), Aguecheek (Ian Drysdale) and Maria (Alison Halstead) are played with glee.  But it’s Jos Vantyler’s Feste who shines the most, prancing around the stage and singing beautifully as both observer and creator of the mayhem. Pearce Quigley also plays a great, hangdog Malvolio who transforms into the sad caricature with yellow cross-gartered stockings and perma-grin after being tricked into believing that this will attract Olivia. His final line about taking revenge on his tormentors is unfortunately thrown away and holds little threat as he slinks off through the audience.

Played against Jean Chan’s huge sun backdrop, the set design also features elements of flotsam and jetsam, hinting that these characters are all shipwrecked in their own way. This vibrant production is echoed by the bright, multi-coloured, eclectic mix of costumes, from African prints and carnival outfits to more modern dress, while Feste is a flamboyant Harlequinesque court jester character who could have been dressed by Zandra Rhodes. Simon Slater’s compositions have a suitably 17th century feel and are played with gusto by the excellent five-piece band perched high up at the back of the stage.

Twelfth Night or What You Will, written in the early 1600s, is usually described as a tragicomedy. Director Robin Belfield’s take is a frothy, carnival-like production full of midsummer madness and played almost entirely for laughs.  While it eschews the tragedy aspect and thus lacks the angst inherent in the love triangle, the pain of unrequited love, and the loss of loved ones, choosing instead to play up the comedy and slapstick, this is a charming, fun production with a great deal to enjoy.

Twelfth Night or What You Will is at the Globe until 25th October.  Tickets are on sale from:  https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/

Reviewer: Carole Gordon

Reviewed: 24th August 2025

North West End UK Rating: