In producing Twelfth Night, we had to consider several parameters associated with the play itself and the size and nature of the company.
We have reduced the dramatis personae in the play to 10 principals, these being Viola, Orsino, Antonio, Sebastian, Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, Maria, Malvolio, Olivia and Feste. Four pairs of these characters are played by actors taking both parts of the couple and the pairings were consciously made to enhance and reflect on the nature of the characters coupled. Hence, the actor playing Viola also plays Maria, Orsino is reflected in Malvolio, Sebastian in Sir Toby and Antonio is contrasted with Sir Andrew. Olivia is played by one actor, and as part of the specific interpretation of this production Feste is played by all the actors at some point in the play. To elucidate further on this, we have chosen to see the play as a fantasy dream of Africa (Illyria) in costume and style. A basic premise is how might Shakespeare have imagined the then fantastical continent of Africa. As such the play is further interpreted as Feste's dream/fantasy. He is both part of the tale and controller of it, a kind of Ube-creator, a reflection of Shakespeare, the grand-creator himself.
The action of the play is continuous with actors changing costume and characters on stage and controlling the setting of the play through active manipulation of the set. The set, costume and sound of the play have been specifically designed around an African feel, careful to avoid though the immature representation of Africa in grass skirts and wailing topless women. As a reflection of Twelfth Night's tradition as a holiday feast play much inspiration has been taken from the feast rituals of Africa and the music of the play centres around the Zimbabwean Mbira instrument that has tremendous spiritual and festive significance in rituals here.
We feel that the approach to and representation of this production is a significantly unique one. It is a production of singular design characteristics, remaining true to Shakespeare's gloriously revelous text.
