September 13, 2012
Shakespeare in the Glen is always the first play of the year. Capitalizing on the warm weather, the fresh attitude of new and returning students, as well as the enticing power of Shakespeare, the tradition continues to kick off the theatrical calendar. Entirely student run, the program has tackled such plays as The Merchant of Venice (2010) and King Lear (2011). This year, Untitled@Large produced The Twelfth Night, or What You Will, a comedy, which was last put on in 2003.
Perhaps something of the nature of this particular comedy can be discerned by pointing out the Judith Butler quote emblazoned on the bottom of the playbill: “I think that every sexual position is fundamentally comic.” The opening scene puts this quote into action pretty much instantly, in which Brian Evans ’15 as Orsino pines over his desire for Olivia whilst fondling himself underneath his pants. The crowd was instantly aware of what was going on, of course, and laughed. It set a good precedent.
The prologue incorporated choreographed dance, creative use of props, and a Florence + the Machines song called “What the Water Gave Me,” a hypnotic and enchanting song that was a fitting backdrop to the storm that formed much of the exposition. The visual and sensual overload worked to recreate the confusion and calamity of a storm, and effectively portrayed the separation of the siblings Sebastian and Viola. Blue cloth figured as waves, into which certain characters would repeatedly crash. It was bizarre and unexpected, but a current of humour and amazement held sway: you were happy to watch the chaos.
Twelfth Night made extensive and creative use of props and costumes, a notable difference from last year’s glen performance of King Lear. The set design also added to the value of the scenes. Wynn van Duusen ’15, who portrayed a very horny Olivia, began the play entrapped in a veil, mourning the death of a family member. Olivia’s coy manner was heightened by her shrouded appearance, and the audience reacted well to her situation. Her scenes became more and more scandalous over time, and her crazed obsession with Cesario is one of the main points of comedy and irony at work in the play. Olivia is unaware that the object of her desire, Cesario, is actually one of the siblings, Viola, disguised as a male envoy in service of Orsino. Cesario/Viola played by Alex Dorer ’13, who finds herself caught in a confusing gender mix up, in which she is attracted to Orsinio but is courted by Olivia, neither of whom know her true identity or gender.
It is interesting to think of how in Shakespeare’s day the erotically charged dialogue and suggestive language would have been uttered by two men, and in the case of Olivia and Cesario’s scenes, two men playing female characters. Untitled@Large turns that arrangement on its head: women play characters that are actually supposed to be women. But, in true Shakespeare form, this still involves a degree of cross-dressing, as Cesario (Alex Dorer) is dressed as a man.
Many of the characters find sexual feelings thrust upon them for members of the same sex, whether knowingly or unknowingly. Scenes between Orsino and Cessario are filled with sexual tension. The dread that fills the face of Orsinio whenever he finds himself attracted to Cesario (who he thinks is a man) was enough to cause the whole audience to laugh at his discomfort. This gender confusion calls into question the typical notions of sexual desire among the sexes.
Malvolio, a steward played by Michael Breslin ’13, is driven by his intense desire to woo Oliva. At one point, Malvolio outfits himself in yellow tights and leather cross-garters so as to incense the passions of Olivia (who seems to only have eyes for Cesario). “The reveal” of this particular wardrobe could be considered the comic and dramatic climax of the play, and Breslin’s eager attempts at seduction were a resounding success. Not so for Oliva, who is rather repulsed by the color yellow, unfortunately for Malvolio.
Ultimately what won me over was the comedy. The hat that Olivia wears in order to seduce a very willing Sebastian, the yellow pants that horrify Olivia so, the bantering of the fool played by Ali Cravelli ’14, combined for a very fun event to kick start this year’s drama calendar.