Showing @ Citizens Theatre, Glasgow until Sat 01 Feb @ times vary
Originally commissioned for the RSC‘s Complete Works festival in 2006, Filter Theatre‘s vibrant and fiercely imaginative take on Shakespeare‘s classic comedy Twelfth Night is no longer new but still retains its anarchic spirit and innovative edge.
From the casual entrances, the raucous cacophony of music and sound, to the short, sharp ending, this is radically different from your average interpretation of the Bard. Purists however shouldn’t despair: mistaken identity abounds, mayhem ensues, Sir Toby and Sir Andrew make merry and Malvolio still appears cross-gartered, albeit with the addition of an eye-watering pair of gold hot pants.
Much of the success of the piece relies on getting the audience firmly onside. The cast manage to draw the onlookers right to the heart of the revels as we conga, play games, eat pizza and throw back shots of tequila amid the mayhem, but despite their best efforts there still remains a tangible detachment between audience and players. That said there are some fine central performances, in particular Sarah Belcher as both Viola and Sebastian, perfectly judged, she is a sea of calm amid the storm and Fergus O’Donnell charts Malvolio’s descent from haughty steward to man on the brink with both wit and energy.
Filter specialise in deconstructing classic plays and traditionalists may be dismayed at the liberties taken in condensing the text into a 90 minute show. Illyria it certainly isn’t and there are black holes in the plot that will render much of what’s going on incomprehensible to those unfamiliar with the play, especially as most of the cast double up on roles. But for all its flaws – raw and random, a little too savagely cut – there is still much to admire. The wit and vitality of Shakespeare’s celebratory original still shines through and if a riotous, irreverent and unruly evening is what you’re looking for then this is the show for you.