It’s easy to assume with outdoor Shakespeare that you know exactly what you’re going to get – a jaunt with the Bard, a mildly amusing night out, something to keep the little grey cells occupied…
Which is why BMH’s Twelfth Night ‘It’s a classic rom-com’ The sharp, sexy, and stylish reimagining of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy Twelfth Night, coming to Oxford Castle! came as such a refreshing change, whisking us off to Illyria from the word go as twins Sebastian and Viola are shipwrecked, separated and assume each other dead.
So far, par for the course. But that would be to underestimate the sheer vivacity, quality and zest interjected into the classic comedy by BMH, an Oxford theatre company who bring Shakespeare to Oxford Castle every year, always with a novel aspect and perspective.
Because the acting and zeal was exceptional, the thrill of Shakespeare’s play being brought gloriously to life palpable, the narrative ripping along at a cracking pace, the joy, humour and fluency unlocked, despite the minimal set.
And so we are immediately enveloped in the court of Olivia, as the lady of the house strives to keep the advances of the athletic Count Orsino (Joe O’Connor) at bay, more interested in his manservant Cesario, with whom she falls instantly in love.
Of course said manservant is actually Viola in disguise, having survived the shipwreck and still mourning her twin, while being firmly in love with her master.
Said love triangle shows no sign of abating, conflicted further by the scheming hangers on, the drunken Sir Toby Belch (Edward Smith), the ungentlemanly gentlewoman Maria (Catherine Woolley) and the wonderful Sir Andrew Aguecheek, usually a bit of a non-entity, but here a constant source of mirth, so brilliantly observed by Douglas Spafford as the overly keen, easily co-erced and instantly recognisable nincompoop.
Younger than so often depicted, the schemers bring a more jubilant and mischievous element to the often tired buffoonery, their evident enjoyment in setting up the pompous steward Malvolio unmistakable.
Ah, Malvolio, one of our favourite shakespearian characters, so brilliantly depicted by Alistair Nunn, easily stereotyped, yet here given a vigourous pomposity and energy that only enlivens the skullduggery afoot; Malvolio led a merry dance in his yellow stockings and cross garters to woo his mistress so inadvisedly.
Meanwhile Sebastian and his friend Antonio voyage to Illyria themselves, Olivia mistaking him for his twin Cesario, for once her ardour reciprocated as they hastily wed in a fervour.
The lascivious Olivia (Eloise Sheffield) is wonderfully dry and sardonic, handling her miscreant household with suitable disdain led instead by her heart, contrary to what’s expected, a stylish, elegant empowering character who knows her own mind.
And as the comedy explodes with intrigue, mistaken identity, passion and endless martinis, the plot being slowly untangled to reveal the pivotal home truths, we are swept up in every disclosure, laughing uproariously, completely riveted.
Two hours later we were sadly released back into the world, throughly entertained – a short, sharp and sweet, highly recommended interlude at Oxford Castle where a night of high jinks and fun is guaranteed. A truly excellent production.
Bravo to BMH for bringing something so entertaining to Oxford and breathing fresh life into a classic with such gleeful malevolence, mischief and merry-making.
BMH’s Twelfth Night, part of the Oxford Shakespeare Festival, plays at Oxford Castle until July 5. Book here: https://www.oxfordcastleandprison.co.uk/events/event/bmh-presents-twelfth-night/
