We went to see the Twelfth Night on Saturday at
Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pear...
Twelfth Night is a comedy about "Viola and her twin, Sebastian, who are shipwrecked off the coast of Illyria, where Viola is washed ashore alone. Disguised as a young male page, "Cesario" enters the s
ervice of Count Orsino, with whom she falls secretly in love. Orsino is captivated by the Countess Olivia, who wants nothing to do with Orsino or any other man throughout her seven years of mourning—until she sees the young page, sent to woo her on Orsino's behalf. Olivia's household, under the rigid control of her moralistic steward Malvolio, is busy subverting Malvolio's rule and plotting their revenge upon him: a forged letter from Olivia, pronouncing her love for him. Malvolio swallows the bait, courting his bewildered mistress as his adversaries look on in delight. Viola's twin arrives in Illyria, where he is mistaken for "Cesario" and consents to Olivia's proposal of marriage. Almost all is set aright when Viola and Sebastian finally set eyes on one another, except for Malvolio, who vows revenge..."
Overall it was a great performance. Most of the actors as they say: "had incredible stage presence", which probably means they were really good actors. The story line was pretty easy to follow even though, I had a hard time understanding Shakespearean script. It's like watching an Irish or a Scottish film... As it starts you cant understand the strange dialect. But eventually as the time passes, you begin to get it although by that time the movie is over. The same thing in this case, someone who always had trouble with Shakespeare, I wonder if it would have been easier to translate it in to regular English. The fact that the language was authentic wasn't impressive. I mean, its not like I was there 300 years ago, and I wanted to feel that way again. What I did want, was to understand what the story was about from the very moment it started. I wanted to laugh at every joke, get upset at every tragedy...
The most amusing thing was swimming pool in the middle of the set that was used in every scene. The actors set in it, they jumped into it (and splashed the audience), they socialize in the swimming pool in every scene. It was definitely one of a kind experience.
I'd give it 7 out 10.
