The splashy spring show at Trinity Western University is putting a modern twist on a classic Shakespeare play.
Twelfth Night, running March 29 to April 9, is set in the 1950s, in the opulent world of Paris-inspired fashion.
The fun begins when Viola dresses as a man to get near the handsome, reclusive icon behind the Di’Orsino fashion label. Meanwhile, he’s pining after a glamourous rival designer, who is completely fooled by Viola’s disguise and ends up falling for her. While the clueless lovers are chasing each other without much success, their admin staff look for any excuse to slack off at work, resulting in wild parties, ridiculous pranks and absurd matchmaking schemes.
Director and theatre professor Kate Muchmore Woo calls it “the love triangle to crown all love triangles,” promising all the raucous comedy that mistaken-identity stories are known for.
She has given the production a modern makeover, not just in its setting but in some of the language, making it accessible for younger audiences as well as those less familiar with Shakespeare.
Langley-born Kate Nundal, who plays a tough tomboy with a secret crush on her best guy friend, adds that the contemporary resonances run deeper.
“Underneath the witty jokes and slapstick comedy, there’s a lot of simmering cynicism over issues that are still relevant today,” Nundal said.
Nundal will be joined onstage by Brookswood Secondary graduate Keenan Marchand for a special Q&A with high school students after the April 6 performance. The event includes pizza, admission to the show and a post-show talkback for $10.
Twelfth Night runs Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. For tickets and info, visit www.twu.ca/theatre or call 604-513-2188.
