Twelfth Night
THE Nonentities promised a spectacular start to their 25th season at the Rose Theatre with Twelfth Night and certainly didn't disappoint. They held nothing back from the elaborate costumes, made especially for the production, to the stunning set which transported the audience to the land of Illyria in the early 17th century.
It follows Viola and her twin brother Sebastian, who become separated after a shipwreck on the coast of Illyria with each believing the other has drowned. Viola disguises herself as a male page named Cesario and enters the service of Duke Orsino and is sent to woo the reclusive Lady Olivia on his behalf.
The actors made the most of the play's comedy moments keeping the audiences laughing to the end. David Wakeman, in particular, was fantastic as the jester and seemed to receive the most applause at the end of the show. Bob Graham and Stuart Walton both seemed to relish their comic roles as Sir Toby and Sir Andrew. Laurie Pollitt was also great as Viola and later Cesario and Vicky Wakeman was very good as Olivia the countess.
There were also some new faces making their theatre debut but the audience would never have guessed had they not been told after the show.
The musicians - Jon Styler on keyboard, Maureen Lowman on descant/treble record and Elizabeth Craddock on violin - were a nice touch to the performance and definitely helped to recreate the Shakespearean atmosphere.
At the end of the show there was a surprise presentation to some of the people who had played big parts in shaping the Nonentities history and they received life membership.
All in all in it was a very entertaining production, definitely not to be missed. HL
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