• Advertise
  • Request Review
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy
  • Login

Theatre Bubble

The UK Theatre Network

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Features
  • Spotlight
  • Opinions
  • Interviews
  • Guides
  • Tickets

Twelfth Night at the Hope Theatre

April 15, 2016 by Fergus Morgan Leave a Comment

Review of: Twelfth Night at the Hope Theatre
Produced by:
Thick As Thieves
Price:
£14/12

Reviewed by: Fergus Morgan
Rating:
4
On April 15, 2016
Last modified:April 15, 2016

Summary:

Thick As Thieves four-man Twelfth Night is a warm, intimate, novelty Shakespeare experience.

More Details

Twelfth Night, written in the early seventeenth century, is perhaps Shakespeare’s most-loved comedy, hence the plethora of London productions scheduled in this Bard-stuffed year. It looks back towards his early comedies with its separated twins and cross-dressing, while also prefiguring later romances like The Winter’s Tale and Pericles with its long-awaited reunions and happy pairing up of lovers. Thick As Thieves’ production, with a cast of just four, plays it purely for the funny. Their Twelfth Night is a breathless showcase of verve and versatility.

Twelfth Night, Hope Theatre - Review 2

Like a travelling group of players in Jacobean times, the minimal cast eschew all seriousness in favour of an endearing self-awareness and a joyous pursuit of laughs, whether in the text or not. The production’s seams begin to burst when the farcical action reaches a head and there are more characters on stage than cast-members, but the swift, exaggeratedly hasty costume changes are all part of the fun. This is a warm, intimate, novelty Shakespeare experience that all can enjoy.

Nicky Diss, Thomas Judd, Oliver Lavery and Madeleine MacMahon all multi-role impressively. MacMahon, switching from saucy barmaid Maria to a snuffling, grubby Antonio to a frosty, blithely sarcastic Olivia, is particularly proficient. She even manages to squeeze in a healthy dose of character development, her Olivia smoothly defrosting into a love-struck schoolgirl upon the sight of Diss’ disguised Viola.

Lavery shuffles enjoyably between a dreadlocked troubadour of a Feste and an austere yet slimy Malvolio, and Judd does equally well as a despairing – if a little dull – Orsino and a half-witted, upper-class Aguecheek. Diss, as Viola and a bombastic, blustering Belch is a consistently funny presence.

The small cast, swift costume changes and frequent asides emphasise the farcical side of the play, and in all the confusion-fuelled mayhem, some of Shakespeare’s more subtle emotional melodies are lost. There is little pathos to Malvolio’s ill-founded superiority, and his eventual ridicule – partly due to certain speeches having to be shuffled between characters – has no ugly undercurrent of stigmatisation. One never feels as though Belch and Aguecheek have gone too far.

The upside to this constantly cheery vibe is that the audience is very much on the performers’ side throughout. When lines are fluffed and costume changes messed-up, any awkwardness or hostility is easily dispelled by the cast’s charming self-deprecation. ‘We know we are doing something silly’, they all but say, ‘but come along for the ride and we’ll all have a good time’. And, frankly, in the cosy confines of The Hope Theatre’s 50-seat performance space, the mumble of the pub below bubbling up through the floor, pint in hand, it is impossible not to.

Twelfth Night will be continuing its run at The Hope Theatre until 30th April at 19:45 every day except Sundays and Mondays. You can book your tickets from 0333 666 3366 or https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/117477

CAST AND CREW

Director: Nicky Diss
Producer: Thomas Judd
Stage Manager: Ariel Harrison
Composer and Musical Director: David Knight
Lighting Designer: Kirsten Buckmaster
Casting Director: Jane Frisby
Cast: Nicky Diss, Thomas Judd, Oliver Lavery, Madeleine MacMahon

Author: Fergus Morgan

Filed Under: Review Tagged With: Shakespeare, The Hope Theatre, Thick As Thieves, Twelfth Night

Join the discussion Cancel reply

Review / The Journey To Venice at the Finborough Theatre

Bjorg Vik’s play The Journey To Venice is a delightful production, entertaining yet full of pathos. A play with a [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Tzarini Meyler talks KITES at VAULT Festival

We spoke to Artistic Director of LipZinc Theatre, writer and performer Tzarini Meyler about her upcoming show at VAULT Festival [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Naomi Westerman talks BATMAN (aka Naomi’s Death Show)

We spoke to writer and performer Naomi Westerman from Little But Fierce about her upcoming show at VAULT Festival Can [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Angharad Jones on The Swearing Jar 

From New Perspectives, The Swearing Jar is a comedy about love, heartbreak, living with the past and accepting the future. We spoke to director Angharad [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Unleash The Llama talks Five Years With The White Man

We spoke to the creators of Five Years With The White Man about the upcoming show coming to VAULT Festival [Read More]

Top Posts & Pages

  • Tim Edge talks Under the Black Rock
  • Writing the Perfect Press Release
  • 5 Stage Elements to Consider for a Rousing Theatrical Production
  • Katy Owen: Auditioning for Oxford School of Drama
  • Complicité's A Minute Too Late at the National Theatre
  • Is this the real location of Ambridge?
  • Jane Eyre at the National Theatre
  • Crowdfunding In Theatre - An Overview
  • The Pros and Cons of Crowdfunding
  • Star-Studded Billing Announced for National Youth Theatre's Anniversary Gala
  • Fergus Morgan
    Contributor

  • April 15th, 2016
  • comment iconNo Comments
  • Facebook7TweetLinkedInEmail

    Newsletter

    Enjoyed what you've read? Get even more great content directly to your inbox - Completely Free

    About Theatre Bubble

    Theatre Bubble is the news, review and blogging site created by Blue Pie Media and run by a dedicated team of outstanding editors and writers: we're always looking for new contributors - to find out more click here.

    Contact Us

    News: news@theatrebubble.com
    Reviews: reviews@theatrebubble.com
    Website: webmaster@theatrebubble.com

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2023 · Blue Pie Media

     

    Loading Comments...
     

      Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

      Email sent!