Shakespeare’s Spin On Love Given A Fresh Look ‘In The Round’
18 October 2007
A new theatrical production of ‘Twelfth Night’ takes a modern look at Shakespeare’s 17th century play.
There are themes embedded in Twelfth Night which are still very relevant to today’s society.
”Paul Hurt, Production Co-ordinator for Theatre Arts
With a series of tiffs, trials and love triangles worthy of a Hollywood romantic comedy, a new theatrical production of Twelfth Night takes a modern look at Shakespeare’s 17th century play.
The sparkling collaboration between the University of Derby and Buxton Opera House is only the second Shakespeare ‘in the round’ to be staged under the magnificent arc of the Dome of the University’s main Devonshire Campus building, in Buxton.
The production, which begins a four night run on Wednesday October 24, will aim to draw out the play’s strong themes of the question of one’s identity and role in society, which are still very much a part of modern life.
In the play Duke Orsino loves Olivia but is rejected by her. He employs Cesario to win over Olivia for him, not realising his new go-between is actually a woman shipwreck victim called Viola disguised as a man.
Things get more complicated when ‘Cesario’ falls for his/her boss Orsino and Olivia takes a shine to Cesario/Viola ... and that’s just the start of the confusion.
The look of the play, from set to costumes, has been designed to give a very contemporary feel to the Shakespearean comedy - and a festive one, with the production being staged only two months before Christmas.
Paul Hurt, Production Co-ordinator for Theatre Arts at the University of Derby, said: "There are themes embedded in Twelfth Night which are still very relevant to today’s society."
The play’s cast of nine is a mixture of current and former University of Derby Theatre Arts students. University Sound, Light and Live Event Technology students have also been involved in the production.
Twelfth Night will be the second ‘Shakespeare in the Dome’ joint production by the University and the Buxton Opera House, following the successful staging of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in October 2005.
As then, the Dome will be transformed into a unique theatre-in-the-round, with comfortable tiered seating for 600 people.
Tickets are still available for the production, which will be staged at 7.30pm each night from October 24 to 27.
Tickets are priced at £14 (discounts available) and can be purchased now from Buxton Opera House box office on 0845 127 2190 or online at www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk.
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For further media information please contact Press and PR Officer Simon Butt on 01332 591891 or 07748 920023, or email s.butt@derby.ac.uk.
Press release by Press and PR Officer Sean Kirby on 01332 593004 or s.kirby@derby.ac.uk.
