'Jemmett’s Elizabethan/folk/Dylan-style music, performed alongside the stage with fellow musician, Maz McNamara, was terrific'

Footsbarn presents Twelfth Night

York International Shakespeare Festival - 28 April 2024

2024 TOUR
24 April – La Chaussee, France
27 & 28 April – York International Shakespeare Festival, UK
1 May – Joan of Arc Hall, Botton, North Yorkshire, UK – TICKETS £15 ON THE DOOR (U18s FREE)
3 May – Glasshouse Arts Centre, Stourbridge, UK
24 May – Craiova International Shakespeare Festival, Romania
27 August – Verona International Shakespeare Festival, Italy
14 Nov to 16 Nov – London Cockpit Theatre
 
Director: Sadie Jemmett
 
Composer: Sadie Jemmett
 
 Producer: Sadie Jemmett / Footsbarn Theatre /
 
Set design: Fredericka Hayter
 
Costume design: Fredericka Hayter 
 
Lighting design: Jean Grison
 
Poster design: Daisy Davis
 
Press: Tony Myers
 
Founding members: Paddy Hayter/ Fredericka Hayter
 
With special thanks to:  Massaouda , Jules Harrap, Léo LaForet, Florian , Rick Worthy, Sophie Doyle, Ben Joiner , Janet Dulin Jones, Christine Myers, Noah Myers.
 

Twelfth Night … or what you will

After twins, Sebastian, and Viola, are shipwrecked at the start of the play, Viola must figure out a way to survive in the foreign land of Illyria. Since the Countess Olivia, the only potential female protector, is too distraught over her brother’s death to receive any visitors, Viola decides that her second-best course of action will be to enter the service of Duke Orsino. As part of her survival scheme, she discards her gown and masks her female gender with the disguise of a male page. Her masculine clothing proves to be such a convincing disguise that the Illyrians confuse her outright with her twin brother Sebastian, eliciting trickery and heartache in the courts of Olivia and Orsino.

The Production focuses on the classic story line of Love and Loss while drawing attention to the darker subplots of pride, hatred and revenge, which Shakespeare masterfully wove into the tale.  Swept along, in true Footsbarn style, in a frolic of rich costumes, live music and classic comedy clowning. This is a dark Shakespeare comedy by a heritage company, delivering a solid good night out.

 

Director’s Note

In a great body of work spanning over 50 years, there are not many Shakespeare plays that Footsbarn have not put their legendary name to, but Twelfth Night is one, which is why artistic director Sadie Jemmett  felt that it was the right moment to tackle this most bold and bittersweet masterpiece. Now, perhaps more than any other time, this play comes into its own by exploring the themes of gender identity that our young generation are bringing to the world’s attention.
 
 

Meet the cast ...

Press