Study Abroad Blog

January 16, 2025

Twelfth Night performance

Our next theater visit took us to the banks of the Thames where students participated in a theater workshop held at the Globe theater complex, toured the Globe outdoor theater, and attended a production of Shakespeare's play, "Cymbeline," at the Sam Wanamaker theater. Included below are excerpts from some student theater blog posts written in response to the performance of Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" in Stratford Upon Avon. 

Olivia blossoms quickly from a no-nonsense mourner into a powerful figure deeply in tune with her own sexuality, hampered only by the schemes and incompetence that surround her court-- a modern woman dealing with her own desires in a situation that can only be described as Shakespearean. Meanwhile, Feste as played by Grady Hall is a fusion between 80’s rocker boys and Bugs Bunny. He seamlessly breaks the fourth wall, inviting audience participation while playing virtuosically with the set and lighting to the delight of all. His somber final song (With Hey, Ho, The Wind and the Rain) is perhaps the moment I’ll remember best, as I think it allows viewers to take a breath from the laughter and recognize the imperfection of the “happy ending," with the much-abused Malvolio being given no true resolution.

--by Daniel Cabaniss

 

What does it truly mean to be a man or a woman, as the social constructs that change expression of each can be imitated so easily? As for love triangle that drove the play, it is essential to explore it. Viola loves Orsino, Orsino loves Olivia, Olivia loves Viola (Cesario). It can be said that Malvolio’s devotion is love for Olivia as well. As love drives the central plot and confusion, it became a key theme between unsaid love and love said. As for human kindness/wickedness, it is the kindness of the pirate and captain that saved Viola and Sebastian while the wickedness of Sir Toby and his crew that broke Malvolio, showing how humans are within the spectrum of what they deem to be moral and just in the current moment.  

-- by JJ (Jonathan) Davis

 

The set design, lighting, sound and costumes truly went above and beyond the call of duty. The stage was simply adorned, no massive recreations of cities or palaces to be found, but the light and sound was able to convey a sense of place that rivaled such sets. The spread of the light and the intensity of the sounds was enough to tell where the scene was set. The costumes were interesting as the play went for an anachronistic style, mixing modern and Elizabethan era clothes and technology to create a sense of timelessness.   

-- by Matthew Hoffman

 

Three young men in winter clothing stand on the banks of the Thames River in central London with St. Paul's cathedral in the background.
Daniel Cabaniss, Cory Johnson, and Matthew Hoffman stand on the banks of the Thames with St. Paul's cathedral in the background prior to a workshop at the Globe Theater complex and a performance of Shakespeare's Cymbeline.

 

A group of young adult students and their instructors stand in front of a large stage at the Globe open air theater in central London.
From left to right: Daniel Edgerton-Dickey, Tim McCrory, Matthew Hoffman, Lua Amanat, Parker Hirsch, Nina King, Cory Johnson, Lukas Pelletier, Adrienne Major, Kieran Jennings, Lucy Stamp, Daniel Cabaniss (in front), Eric Matte, JJ (Jonathan) Davis, and Charles Karwoski stand in front of the stage at the Globe Theater, central London.