About

The University of Waterloo Theatre and Performance program is proud to present Twelfth Night, a Shakespearean comedy that dives into themes of love, dedication, deception, and power. Written by William Shakespeare and directed by Tim Welham.

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Twelfth Night begins in a storm, as Viola is shipwrecked on the island of Illyria. Believing her twin brother drowned at sea, she survives by disguising herself as a man and serving Duke Orsino by delivering his love messages to the Countess Olivia. Viola slowly falls in love with Orsino, while Olivia falls for Viola’s male alter-ego ‘Cesario’. Meanwhile, Olivia's prudish and strict butler Malvolio is tricked into loving Olivia by her drunken cousin Toby, his hapless friend Lady Andrea, and witty maid Maria. All the plots crash together when Viola's twin brother Sebastian appears. And all this watched over by Feste, the musician.

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Set in the roar of the 1920s, with its joyous opulence and indulgence, our version of Twelfth Night mingles themes of joy and sorrow, fantasy and reality, and kindness and cruelty into a beautiful, mature play about unrequited love, disguise, madness, and the exploration of gender identity.

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Viewers will see their lived experiences reflected onstage as the characters fall in (and out) of love, overcome grief and hardship, manage cruelty and bullying, and discover the identity of their true selves. One of Shakespeare's most famous and beloved romantic comedies, the play is a beautiful blend of high comedy and thrilling drama designed to entertain, delight, and inspire.