What a night

By Michael Gorman

THE VANGUARD

NovaNewsNow.com

It wasn't until last night that the work of William Shakespeare finally debuted on stage at Th'YARC, but the Yarmouth Drama Society's production of Twelfth Night, or What You Will made the wait worthwhile.

An understated set with a Maritime theme blended with elaborate Elizabethan costumes, set the stage for lively action and an entertaining evening.

The back-and-forth exchanges between Viola/Cesario (Ingrid D'Eon), Olivia (Heather Mills) and Duke Orsino (David Olie) was one of the night's highlights. Both Olie and Mills show experience with the material that extends beyond this production and D'Eon is very good at conveying the emotional struggle of being trapped in an awkward, albeit funny, love triangle.

No Shakespearian comedy would be complete without a subplot and this production's matched the main plot in both energy and entertainment. Wilfred Allan is excellent as the drunken Sir Toby Belch, who on more than one occasion during the show lives up to his name. James Turpin's antics as Sir Andrew Aguecheek — not to mention his dress — made for many laugh-out-loud moments. Rebecca Rideout and Catilyn Atkinson, as Maria and Fabian, respectively, do a good job helping to move the action along. Marcel Saulnier's portrayal of Malvolio provides plenty of laughs both for the audience and the characters in the subplot who seek to make a fool of him. Anthony Allen, as Feste, is very good at blending the two stories together and providing the audience with laughs even when he's not part of the main action on stage.

Director Jeremy Watkins has put together a show that flows wonderfully, complete with actors who deliver dialogue as though they are speaking as opposed to delivering lines. Indeed the interaction between the players on stage is what makes the production so good. This makes the language easy to follow and understand even for those less experienced with the writing of Shakespeare. Watkins's decision to cross themes of costume and set was a good one. The costumes are even more striking when set against the minimalist background and the garden set, with all of its local touches, is quite striking.

It's never easy introducing Shakespeare to a new audience, but if one is looking for a chance to experience The Bard this is as good a place as any to begin.