Auditions

Twelfth Night

Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by John Goudge
Sunday 9th May 2010
12 Spring Street, Onehunga
1:30pm

Synopsis:
Viola has been shipwrecked in a violent storm off the coast of Illyria; in the process she has lost her twin brother, Sebastian. She disguises herself as a boy and assumes the name Cesario for protection. Thus disguised, Viola becomes a page in the service of Orsino, the Duke of Illyria. It seems that Orsino is having little luck courting Olivia, who is in mourning for the deaths of her father and brother. As Orsino’s proxy, Viola is sent to Olivia with love letters. Viola refuses to budge until she is let in to see Olivia; Olivia, intrigued by the impudent young “boy”, contrives to get “Cesario” to return by sending her steward, Malvolio, after her with one of Olivia’s rings. Viola realises to her dismay that Olivia has fallen for her Cesario rather than Duke Orsino – further complicated by the fact that Viola has had stirrings herself for Orsino.

In the two major subplots of the play Sebastian (Viola’s twin, presumed dead) comes ashore in Illyria thinking that Viola has drowned in the shipwreck. A man named Antonio rescued him from the surf, and continues to aid him – at some risk to himself, as Antonio fought against the Duke at one time. Meanwhile, in Olivia’s house, Sir Toby Belch (her uncle) has hoodwinked a foppish Sir Andrew Aguecheeck into supporting him by convincing him that he could be a suitor to Olivia. There is a running feud between Malvolio and Belch; with the help of Maria, Olivia’s maid, and Feste, a clown, Belch plots to make a buffoon of the steward. Maria writes a love letter to Malvolio that will make him think Olivia has fallen for him.

Malvolio falls entirely for the sport, which eventually leads to his confinement as a madman. All the while, Belch is egging Sir Andrew into a duel with Viola’s “Cesario” character as she departs from Olivia; Olivia is now entirely smitten with Cesario, even though Viola continues to press Orsino’s cause. As Viola and Sir Andrew prepare for a duel that neither one wants, Antonio happens upon the scene. Believing Viola to be Sebastian, he intervenes and is arrested. Viola, of course, does not recognise Antonio. Later, Belch and Sir Andrew encounter Sebastian, who doesn’t back down from Aguecheek when challenged and resoundingly beats him. Olivia intervenes in the matter and – mistaking Sebatian for Viola/Cesario – presses her suit for him. A bemused Sebastian agrees to marry her.

Antonio is brought before the Duke for questioning, and Viola relates the events of the duel. Antonio tells everyone how he dragged “this man” from the surf, saving his life. Then Olivia enters, searching for her new husband – which she thinks is Viola (as Cesario). Adding to this confusion, Belch and Aguecheek enter claiming that Viola/Cesario has violently assaulted them. In the midst of Viola’s denials, Sebastian appears. The brother and sister recognise one another, and are reunited; Sebastian helps to clear the confusion as to who fought and married who. At the end, Orsino and Viola pledge their love, Olivia and Sebastian remain satisfactorily wed, and Olivia rebukes Belch and Maria for their abuse of Malvolio, who vows his revenge upon the whole lot. Belch agrees to wed Maria to make up for getting her in trouble, and all – except the disgruntled Malvolio – will apparently live happily ever after.

John Goudge has long had a love affair with Shakespearean plays, and regularly runs workshops in “Deciphering Shakespeare”. He’s played many fantastic Shakespearean roles including King Richard (“King Richard III”), Petruchio (“Taming of the Shrew”), Bottom (“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”) and Feste the Clown (“Twelfth Night”). John has been a drama tutor and acting coach for 15 years, and runs his own studio in Waiatarua. He has directed more than a dozen productions including large cast pantomime (“Beauty and the Beast”), small cast comedy (“Educating Rita”) and a bit of Kiwi thrown in (“The Bach”). In 2007 and 2008 John was an adjudicator for Dolphin and in 2003 received an award for his portrayal of Roald Amunsden in Dolphin’s production of “Terra Nova”.

Characters:

Rehearsals held Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at Dolphin Theatre.

Season: Opens 31st July – 21st August 2010
For more details contact:
Director – John Goudge
PH: 814-9744

Email: John Goudge - night@dolphintheatre.org.nz






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