ED2016 4/5 Reviews ED2016 Theatre Reviews

Shakespeare In The Garden: Twelfth Night, Or What You Will (C Theatre)

By Patricia-Ann Young | Published on Wednesday 10 August 2016

Charming as ever, Shakespeare In The Garden returns to the Fringe to breathe folky new life into another of the Bard’s classic comedies. Ukuleles, flower crowns, and functioning VW camper vans could have made this adaptation of ‘Twelfth Night’ too twee to function, but director Oliver Stephens strips it back and allows the garden at St. Peter’s to create the desired whimsical, romantic feel. It’s also really, really funny due to solid comical performances from all the cast, the stand-outs being Sydney Aldridge’s dry Maria and Jonathon Cobb’s scenery chewing Malvolio. Being so close to a main road does occasionally break the spell the production sets up for itself, but endearing surroundings and charming performances make it a joy to watch.

C South, until 29 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Patricia-Ann Young]