Twelfth Night 2011

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Open Air Shakespeare

Played in the Open Air on the Cedar Lawn within the Moat with the mellow red tudor brickwork of the House as a backcloth.


  
The Cedar Lawn showing the wing against which the performances are played.

The GB Theatre Company

 

 

 

 

The GB Theatre Company is British-based classical theatre company formed in 2010.  It is dedicated to producing plays that can be played both indoor and in the open air.  They present plays with a full cast of experienced (and some distinguished) actors with limited doubling up. They present their plays in Elizabethan costume (which is very acceptable at Tudor Kentwell).

The company played at Kentwell, their first season, lin 2011 a very impressive Merry Wives of Windsor with an outstanding Falstaff ably supported by an excellent cast and also As You Like it with excellent all round playing and as good a fight scene as you'll ever see.

The cast

We are promised another excellent and experienced cast. I'm particularly pleased to see the return for a third year at Kentwell  of Gabriel Thomson whom many may know as Michael Harper in My Family.  He is a most accomplished player but I remember him most for playing the young boy so memorably in that impressive film Enemy at the Gate, an unusual film in capturing well the essence of the seige of Stalingrad. It'll be interesting to see what he makes of Rome but he certainly looks the part.  He is also Sebastian, Viola's twin, in Twelth Night.

The Costumes

 Seats

Two Front Rows in front of the Stand NOT under cover

Raised Stand Seats under cover comprising three Front Rows and additional rows behind. The best views are at the front.  The most protected (from driving rain) are those behind.

Groundlings on the grass between the seats and the stage.  Bring your own rugs and cushions but no raised seats.

Opening Night at Kentwell

This was an outstanding production of a very funny play much enjoyed by the audience despite the second half being played in steady rain. Its a play which offers humour in nearly every character in nearly every scene and the cast did not miss a single element of it and enhanced much by clever touches of their own. Poor put upon Malvolio was most excellently portrayeded by Chris Porter who made much of his self importance (which justified the prank that was played upon him) by a few deft touches in a sort of Jacques Tati way but came into his own when the prank gathered pace. The performance managed something that few achieve which was a Viola, as a man, who looked not unlike her lost brother Sebastian to make the confusion of one for the other more readily understandable.  There was much accomplished music-playing and singing in a well balanced ensemble. (The open sea wreck was so convincingly played that I wondered for a moment if I had the wrong play and that we in for The Tempest - perhaps another time.) I commend every member of the cast for their clear diction which ensured that everyone in the audience could follow every turn whether they knew the play or not and not miss any of the well-known quotes. 


          

My first acquaintance with this play was having to study it for 'O' Levels many years ago.  I then particulalrly enjoyed the characters of both Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek, characters for whom I retain much affection.  I've always also had something of a soft spot for the poor put upon Steward, Malvolio.  He may be officious and interfering of others' amusement and, like many of us, has an inflated view of himself. Yet did he really deserve to be the subject of such a practical joke that made him make such a fool of himself ? We hope, in our self importance, to avoid becoming the laughing stock that he became.  The play is best, I think for its sub-plot involving these characters. Viola's cross dressing romantic entanglement seems somehow less important but she does have some excellent, witty and clever lines when unravelling these entanglements. But. then, I always prefer comedy sections.  We are promised an excellent Malvolio and I'm looking forward to seeing David Davies (also returning to Kentwell for a third year) as Sir Toby Belch.  The part is made for him.

Dates & Times for Twelfth Night

Friday 22nd July at 7.45pm

Sunday 24th July at 7.45pm

Prices for Twelth Night

On the Night Prices

Groundling (rugs & cushions only no raised seats) Child
Tickets Friday
Sunday
Seated Front Rows under cover £23.00 £24.00
Seated other rows under cover £21.00 £22.00
Seated Front rows NOT under cover £19.00 £20.00
Groundling (rugs & cushions only no raised seats) Adult
£16.00 £17.50
Groundling (rugs & cushions only no raised seats) Child £12.00 £14.00
Book online now to enjoy discounted prices. See when booking online for today's prices which may vary from day to day.

Further group discounts for parties of 15 or more. For details call the Estate Office on 01787 310207

Book by telephone or online in advance to enjoy discounted prices. See on-line booking for today's prices.  Prices may vary from day to day.

Further group discounts for parties of 15 or more. For details call the Estate Office on 01787 310207

The Performances

Gates open at 6.30pm for evening performances for those of the audience who wish to arrive early to enjoy the Gardens or set up their picnics. Each play starts at 7.45pm. There will be two Acts with a one hour supper interval in between when the Gardens are floodlit.  The evening performances will end at about 11.15pm.  Gates for afternoon matinee open at 2.00pm for those who want to enjoy the Gardens before the show.  The matinee will end at about 5.45pm

Catering

For evening performances the audience may bring picnics, tables & chairs and as much other paraphernalia as they can carry and may set up anywhere in the Gardens much of which will be floodlit after dusk. Some have their picnic (or part of it) before the performance starts.  Others only during the interval and some have part before, part in the interval and even part afterwards.  For matinée there is amuch shorter interval.

Kentwell Suppers (3 courses  + coffee £17.50 incl. vat) in the Undercroft (or outside if fine) may be booked in advance. The first part of the supper is served before the play starts, pudding and coffee are served in the Interval.  

Picnic Tables

Kentwell has a number of picnic tables of various sizes (for 4, 6 or 8 persons with integral seating) for hire which must be booked in advance.

 

Details

Time
7.45pm
Where
Cedar Lawn
Date
Friday, 22 July 2011
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Children Tickets
Children aged 5-15, under 5's are free.