TWELFTH NIGHT

About the show

Boyd’s lively modern-dress production featured two singers and an eight-piece band who provided Barnaby Kay’s hot-tempered Orsino with music to soothe his lovesickness. Kay’s increasing state of undress mirrored his growing distress at rejection by the imperious Olivia (Aislín McGuckin). Forbes Masson’s Feste was less an outside observer and more part of the action. In a novel twist, his final song expressed anger at rejection, having nursing a secret passion for Maria. Richard Cordery played Malvolio as a sneering bruiser who practised martial arts in private and looked ridiculous in a tight yellow rubber motorcycle suit. Kananu Kirimi was a captivating and sweet-natured Viola. Sadly, Nicky Henson had to leave the production early due to illness and was replaced by Clive Wood as Sir Toby Belch.