Details

Or What You Will. Shakespeare comedy of mistaken identity, practical jokes and unrequited love. Rescued from a shipwreck the twins Viola and Sebastian arrive independently in Illyria, both thinking the other is drowned. Viola disguises herself as a boy and finds employment with the Duke who is in love with Olivia. Malvolio is the subject of a cruel joke played on him by Sir Toby Belch (yellow stockings cross-gartered) leading him to believe that Olivia loves him. But Olivia has fallen in love with the disguised Viola, while she is in love with the Duke (following it so far?!). This new production transposes Illyria to the place which most closely resembles Shakespeare's London today, contemporary India. Honour codes, the rules of marriage, holy men, beliefs and the significance of festival find a fresh relevance in this recognisable and engaging world.

Cast/Performers

Paul Bhattacharjee (Malvolio), Raaghav Chanana (Sebastian), Neha Dubey (Olivia), Kulvinder Ghir (Feste), Raza Jaffrey (Orsino), Paul Bazely (Sir Andrew Aguecheek), Shereen Martineau (Viola), Shiv Grewel (Sir Toby Belch), Harvey Virdi (Maria)

Creatives/Company

Author: Shakespeare
Producer: Background
Director: Stephen Beresford
Design: Jonathan Fensom
Lighting: Jason Taylor
Sound: Fergus O'Hare
Music: Sara Dillon