Yesterday’s summery evening was perfect weather for outdoor Shakespeare in the gardens at Mona Vale. With our picnic tea we joined a crowd of several hundred seated on the mound lawn to watch an excellent performance of “Twelfth Night” by Top Dog Theatre. This is my favourite of Shakespeare’s comedies, and the one I know best, having seen it performed a number of times over the years, including when Stephen played the Sea Captain way back in Grafton Theatre days. I always find with Shakespeare that the more familiar I am with the particular play the more I enjoy it.
Strong in my memory is a production at the Mercury Theatre. I think I must have seen it more than once, so maybe it was during the time I was an usher there. I remember an especially fine Sir Andrew Aguecheek, who was tall and skinny (?Ronald Qualtrough). Last night Isaac Pawson was superb as Malvolio, although the cross-gartering didn’t quite fit with the other 1920′s costumes.
Malvolio, cross-gartered
I was delighted that the cast included three healthy hens who went about their business undeterred by all the goings-on.
The starring hens – and Orsino
“Of all the parts in Shakespeare’s folio
one most delicious is Malvolio.”
Great to know 12th night is still to be celebrated. My favourite performance of this play was held in the ruins of an old Roman theatre in Verona. Only a few columns and stone benches remained. No matter the language was Italian, the comedy was everything.
Sue, that’s an amazing experience to have had – it might even beat having hens in the cast
Isaac Pawson is “one of ours”! He’s won a place at Drama School this year.
He’s obviously had an excellent English teacher!
I am hoping that, with a reduction in work hours i too can enjoy such wonderful entertainment.
Watching live theatre outdoors is wonderful Ruth. I love the hens playing their part!
Carol, I hope you will have lots of opportunities for all kinds of fun.
OG, when Malvolio was confined he was actually put in the henhouse!
Since my last comment, I have found that in fact five of the cast are either present or former students of RHS! We have a very proud drama teacher!
Maybe they could have used argyle socks instead of cross garters…
Wow! Five students is impressive. I hope you’ll get a chance to go and see them. And I don’t think argyle socks would have quite done it.