Twelfth Night at Act 1 DeSales University

By William Shakespeare
Directed by Jessica Bedford

Twelfth Night tells the story of Viola, shipwrecked and rescued to the town of Illyria, where she disguises herself as a man to serve the court of Duke Orsino. The Duke has Viola bring messages to the noble Olivia, whom he loves. Olivia however, in grief over the death of her brother, proclaims she will not love anyone for seven years—even though she begins to fall for the disguised Viola. Meanwhile, one of Shakespeare’s more memorable comedic characters, Sir Toby Belch, plots to embarrass Olivia’s head servant, the pompous Malvolio. Filled with sly humor, deceptions, mistaken identities, all commentated on by a very wise fool, Twelfth Night , “Shakespeare’s most perfect comedy” (The Guardian), is an enjoyable romp.
Recommended for ages 12+