News ‘Twelfth Night’ Utterly Delights! 13.02.2025

‘If music be the food of love: play on, play on!’. And so the audience in the Bishop Centre at this week’s musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night was transported into the world of love, comedy, disguise and confusion in the Roman province of Illyria. This retelling of Shakespeare’s famous play uses some of The Bard’s original text, but the majority of the storytelling and characterisation was fantastically delivered and acted by a brilliant cast of characters, ensembles, dancers and townsfolk, via Shaina Taub’s contemporary lyrics and jazzy numbers.

Every single member of the cast sparkled on stage, from the more experienced students in the leading roles to the unnamed ‘kid’ played by Yael in Year 8. Sofia, Lower Sixth, was a wonderful Viola showing all round poise and star quality in every scene. The prevailing theme of the evening was one of high-spirited comedy with hilarious performances by Tigerlily, Upper Sixth, playing Sir Toby Belch, Anna, Year 11, playing Malvolio and their gang of reprobates who showed fantastic comic timing and pathos. There was wonderful singing from leading roles such as Hermione, Year 11, playing the Duke Orsino and Kimberly, Upper Sixth, playing Olivia as well as impressive close harmony from the Illyrian Ensemble, not to mention the poignant numbers from Sasha, Lower Sixth, in the role of Feste.  

Huge thanks indeed to Mrs Oxborrow, Director, and Mr Langworthy, Musical Director, the fantastic Band, Mr Spicer the Technical and Lighting Manager, and the whole crew who made it all happen behind the scenes. But a special congratulations to our Student Director, Mimi, Lower Sixth, who worked so hard and was such an inspiration to everyone involved in the show. The closing chorus number “If we open our hearts to each other, what a better world it could be,” really summed it all up. Bravo to everyone who brought sunshine, humour and hope to our chilly February evening!