Clowning around on Twelfth Night

Feste (Martin Harding) and the drunken Sir Toby (Barry Dale) greet the dawn after a night of revelry. Image by Greals

Nambour Lind Lane Theatre is pleased to present a fresh look at Shakespeare’s light-hearted comedy, Twelfth Night, or What You Will, starting on September 15. Director Joy Hinckley is viewing this 400 year old play through the lens of the 1980s, which makes for costume and musical choices which will surprise and delight the audience.

Shakespeare’s dialogue has been updated in places to make it more comprehensible to modern watchers, but the play remains faithful to the author’s vision, and is still set in “once upon a time” Illyria.

Twelfth Night has a large cast to play the inhabitants of the two noble houses which feature in the play. One of the more interesting characters is Feste, the jester or fool, who works for Countess Olivia, but moonlights around the town as an entertainer.

Feste is a musician, a melancholic, and a keen observer of human nature who performs for coins and is always ready to indulge in japes, pranks, and tricks.

The Lind’s Feste is played by seasoned performer Martin Harding, who may be familiar to audiences through his roles which include DeathTrap, Four Flat Whites in Italy, and Calendar Girls.

Although Martin’s theatre experience goes back decades to his start in New Zealand, this is his first Shakespearean role, and he’s looking forward to “bringing Feste very much alive” on stage for you all.

There will be seven performances of Twelfth Night running from Friday September 15 until Saturday September 23, including two matinee shows. For bookings go to www.lindlane.com.au/whats-on or phone 1300 732 764.