Twelfth Night

Arkangel Shakespeare

By: William Shakespeare

Narrated by: Niamh Cusack, Jonathan Firth, Amanda Root, Dinsdale Landen, Julian Glover

Shakespeare's most sophisticated comedy is a riotous tale of hopelessly unrequited passions and mistaken identity. Duke Orsino is in love with the noblewoman Olivia. She, however, has fallen for his servant Cesario, who is actually Viola, a woman disguised as a man, who loves Orsino: Confusion is rife. Meanwhile, Olivia's arrogant steward Malvolio is cruelly tricked by her uncle Sir Toby Belch, his friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and the maidservant Maria into believing his mistress loves him.

Niamh Cusack is Viola, Jonathan Firth is Orsino, Amanda Root plays Olivia, Dinsdale Landen plays Sir Toby Belch, and Julian Glover is Malvolio.

Public Domain (P)2014 Blackstone Audio

bravo!

the lovely, witty ladies are at their best in bard's comedy.
kudos to the actors!

Hilarious deception by Shakespeare

Performances were excellent. The production allows you to follow the action though knowing the general plot is very helpful. Overall highly recommended.

Classic

Shakespeare is a classic. I absolutely enjoyed this take on it. The full cast was amazing and they each did a great job. I felt like I was there.

I love Shakespeare

Another great read! I really like the Shakespearean plays. I enjoyed another restful afternoon with the comedy and complexity of Shakespeare.

Only Shakespeare necessary

This is the only title one need read to understand the bulk of the work

Ahhh quality

I have loved this version of twelfth night since I was a little one. I will explore other works by this group!

Absolutely loved

I thought Hamlet was my favorite...nay! It is now Twelfth Night. Shakespeare was a genius.

Twelfth Night

The performance was EXCELLENT. One of the best Shakespeare ensembles I've heard to date. The Fool, Olivia, Andrew Aguecheek were all brilliant.

very funny

a wonderful wondering story of mix-matches and love's fleeting temperament.
a great past time play

If you be not mad, be gone

"If you be not mad, be gone; if you have reason, be brief."
- William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night

I liked it, but didn't love it.

Positives: I always like Shakespeare's gender benders. The Bard enjoys not playing characters straight. He doesn't want a love story or even a love triangle, Shakespeare wants to explore all the tangents, the lines, and the angles of love's many geometries. He is a great experimenter of the human soul. He is the Faraday of romance, unsatisfied until he has teased out all the attractions and repulsions possible.

Negatives: I'm not a fan of Shakespeare's musical comedies. I don't include A Midsummer Night's Dream on this list, because I consider that play to be one of Shakespeare's great LYRICAL plays (along with Richard II and Romeo and Juliet). Anyway, anytime Shakespeare's actors start singing and dancing, I want to use that time/space to grab a popcorn or pee. Just not my jam.

Favorite Lines:

"If music be the food of love, play on." (Act 1, Scene 1)

“Better a witty fool, than a foolish wit.” (Act 1, Scene 5)

“Well, God give them wisdom that have it; and those that are fools, let them use their talents.” (Act 1, Scene 5)

“Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage.” (Act 1, Scene 5)

“Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.” (Act 2, Scene 5)

“I say there is no darkness but ignorance.” (Act 4, Scene 2)