Two women dressed in black vests and white shirts kneeling on the floor arranging white flowers in a bucket, with a fallen tree branch between them, set against a dark background with blurred colorful lights.

TWELFTH NIGHT

by William Shakespeare, adapted by Heather Fairbairn

Bell Shakespeare, Sydney Opera House + National Tour, 2023

Director Heather Fairbairn
Set and Costume Designer Charles Davis
Lighting Designer Verity Hampson
Composer Sarah Blasko
Sound Designer David Bergman
Sound Associate Daniel Herten
Fight and Intimacy Director Nigel Poulton
Choreographer Elle Evangelista
Voice Coach Jack Starkey-Gill

with Keith Agius, Isabel Burton, Alfie Gledhill, Amy Hack, Garth Holcombe, Mike Howlett, Tomáš Kantor, Chrissy Mae, Ursula Mills, Jane Montgomery Griffiths.

Photos: Brett Boardman

A man dressed in a plaid skirt, blazer, and tie is standing on stage, holding a red lifebuoy around his head with his mouth open in a theatrical pose. There are additional lifebuoys and fallen leaves on the stage, with a large fallen tree in the back
Two men having a picnic on a staged outdoor set with a fallen tree and a life preserver, one lying down in a pink suit and the other kneeling in a light blue suit and cap, engaged in conversation. From Heather Fairbairn's staging of Twelfth Night.
A man dressed in a light gray military uniform is sitting on a large log on a stage set designed to look like a forest scene, with a backdrop of dark curtains, green plants, and scattered dry leaves on the ground. Directed by Heather Fairbairn.
Three actors on stage, two men and one woman, engaged in a theatrical play. The men are dressed in plaid suits, and the woman is in black pants and vest. They appear to be arguing or joking, with confetti on the stage floor and a log in the backgroun
Three actors performing on stage with white trees and falling confetti, one woman in black suit talking on phone, two others climbing trees, black background. From Heather Fairbairn's staging of Twelfth Night.
Woman dressed in a bright red gown reading a paper with a slightly surprised or engaged expression, accompanied by a large white floral arrangement in the background. From Heather Fairbairn's staging of Twelfth Night.
A woman dressed in a black floral dress kneeling and holding hands of another woman dressed in a gray suit and cap, who is also kneeling. They are smiling and appear emotional, on a stage with green flooring and background, with confetti scattered ar
Performer on stage with arms raised, wearing a bright yellow and black costume, surrounded by potted plants and confetti on the floor, with dark curtains behind. From Heather Fairbairn's staging of Twelfth Night.
Person singing on stage with a microphone, surrounded by potted trees and other people in the background, dim stage lighting. From Heather Fairbairn's staging of Twelfth Night.
BellShakespeare_TwelfthNight_Production_PhotoBrettBoardman_011960.JPG

Reviews

★★★★★ "This modern yet faithful interpretation alternates between sustained dramatic tension and clever comedic joy, revelling in reversals from male to female, grief to love, lost to found, and illusion to truth." […] “Bawdy humour and phallic gags abound in this playful exploration of love, which unfolds through the concealment of identity and truth. Playing into the inherent humour and timeless resonance of Shakespeare’s most gender-bending comedy, this Twelfth Night achieves greatness, and thrusts it upon an appreciative audience.”  - ArtsHub

★★★★ “Riotous comedy wins hearts as well as laughs” - Sydney Morning Herald

★★★★ “Behind the mask of drama and theatre are the two faces of all. The tragedy and the comedy. Inside Twelfth Night lie both, in this production in quite equal measure.” - Sydney Arts Guide

"Funny and broadly physical, director Heather Fairbairn’s production is easy to immerse yourself in" - Limelight

"Fairbairn’s production is endlessly vivacious and amusing, marvelously playful and imaginative with its characters and their hijinks. Each scene is rigorously explored, to ensure that we are kept entertained." - Suzy Goes See

"A unique retelling, leaning into the current emphasis on gender, its fluidity and bias in all guises. In a nutshell, they aim to present a great night out, something that Twelfth Night does brilliantly" - Theatre Travels

"Director Heather Fairbairn has given this production the magical Bell Shakespeare touch." […] “Bell Shakespeare’s reinvigorated version of Twelfth Night is an entertaining modernised interpretation” - 4ZZZ

“Bell Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is an exercise in how to bring a 400-year-old play into modern times without essentially changing its original intent.” - CityHub

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