'Twelfth Night' at Manchester Royal Exchange

GENDER POLITICS, SHIFTING SEXUALITY AND SUBVERTING SHAKESPEARE

The Royal Exchange Theatre presents

TWELFTH NIGHT

By William Shakespeare

Directed by Jo Davies

13 April - 20 May – The Theatre

Press Night: Thursday 20 April, 7.30pm

An intoxicating comedy with gender, identity and love at its centre storms onto the Royal Exchange Theatre’s main stage this spring. TWELFTH NIGHT is directed by the award-winning Jo Davies who makes her Royal Exchange debut with Shakespeare’s whirlwind comedy. Faith Omole, Kevin Harvey and Mina Anwar return to the Exchange as Viola, Orsino and Maria, Kate Kennedy takes on the role of Olivia and Anthony Calf is Malvolio. Award-winning Manchester-based transgender artist and activist Kate O’Donnell makes her Royal Exchange debut in the role of Feste, the wise observer in this foolish, lovesick kingdom. Live music from the critically acclaimed folk musician Kate Young and lap-tap guitarist Joe Gravil adds to the complexity of this intricate comedy which probes gender-politics and ideas of belonging. The play runs from 13 April – 20 May.

Washed up on the shores of Illyria after a ship-wreck, Viola hides her true identity by disguising herself as a man. Finding a job – and love – at the court of Duke Orsino, Viola becomes muddled in mistaken identities when her disguise begins to cause more problems than it solves.