A touch of the Noël Coward about Shakespeare at Oxford Castle

BMH: Twelfth Night

at Oxford Castle

from June 23 to July 5

Review by JON LEWIS

Debutant director Kate O’Connor’s delightful BMH production of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, performed on the wide terrace in front of Oxford Castle, brings a touch of Noel Coward with its songs, costumes and focus on the comic, romantic elements in the story.

The catalyst for much of the action is one of two shipwrecked twins, Viola (Eleanor Schofield). She is fearful of her feminine appearance having been abandoned in a strange land. Disguised as a boy, Cesario finds work as a gofer for local aristocrat Orsino (Joe O’Connor), employed as a go-between between Orsino and the lady in mourning he admires, Olivia (Eloise Sheffield, deliciously provocative).

When Orsino finds himself more interested in Cesario than Olivia (the attraction is mutual) O’Connor draws out the comedy expertly as Orsino’s cowardice inhibits a supposed male-on-male kiss with his new passion.

Olivia’s fusty, pedantic valet Malvolio (Alistair Nunn, having a ball with ad-libs to audience members) and her wastrel hanger-on Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Douglas Spafford) are also infatuated with Olivia, who becomes sexier as the play progresses. This leads Malvolio into falling for a trap set by his colleagues led by the feisty Maria (Catherine Woolley). After reading a letter forged by Maria to appear it’s from Olivia, he casts off his inhibitions, wears outlandishly un-Puritan clothes and tries without success to woo Olivia for himself.

Sir Andrew, to improve his chances with Olivia after being tainted as a coward by his friend Sir Toby (Edward Smith), is egged on to challenge Cesario to a sword fighting duel. However, he confuses Cesario with Viola’s twin Sebastian (Kaity Ellen). He is roundly defeated by Sebastian’s pirate guardian Antonia (Elizabeth Champion). Olivia, who like Orsino, has fallen in love with Cesario, hastily marries Sebastian by mistake. He is only too happy to wed a gorgeous babe.

With intelligent, comic performances from all the cast, it’s the female characters who emerge as deadlier than the males, typified by Feste (Nicola Jones). She charms with her songs and ukulele playing but flashes her cruel side when tormenting Malvolio in his dungeon.

Perfect entertainment on a warm summer night.