by Blythe Ford, Messenger Staff Writer

A production of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night, or, What You Will”, entirely directed, costumed, designed, and performed by University of the South students is in Sewanee’s Angel Park through April 19. Directed by Ivy Francis Moore and costumed by Roman Belton, this production stars Sawyer Herring as Viola, Annalise Doyle as Olivia, Victoria Ryan as Orsino, and Ella Mitchell as Malvolio.

“Twelfth Night, or, What You Will,” commonly referred to as “Twelfth Night,” is a Shakespearean comedy involving characters in disguise, mistaken identity, and a convoluted web of romantic entanglements; the primary protagonist is Viola, who has disguised herself as a man for safety following a shipwreck in which she was stranded and separated from her twin brother. The plot follows her service to Duke Orsino, who is obsessively in love with the mourning Countess Olivia, who in turn is enamored with Viola and whose arrogant steward Malvolio seeks to marry her.

This production (Moore’s third and biggest directorial project) differs from the standard staging. For one, none of the cast are cisgender men; instead, themes of gender identity and expression are emphasized by the choice of actor for each role. The script has also been cut for length, so while those familiar with the play will miss a few of the jokes, they may also appreciate the focus on the main plot and the one hour forty minute run time.

There is also the fresh take of setting the play in, in the words of director Ivy Moore, “something between Sewanee, a Warhol painting, and a waterpark.” He further explained that the importance of water and water symbolism through the play combined with his love of pop and techno music, and the way they connect to the themes of the play, to produce a summery, beachy aesthetic.

Costume designer Roman Belton worked to create costumes to fit this setting, primarily in cool tones to carry forward the water symbolism, but also incorporating a summer Y2K look with fun T-shirts, tie-dye, and colored sunglasses. Belton also rose to the challenge of incorporating Olivia’s mourning clothes into a bright, contemporary setting. However, they are most proud of Orsino’s costume, which “turned out exactly as [they] imagined it.” They said that they were motivated by the fact that “the actors are doing such a great job playing these characters and [they] really wanted to match that energy in their costumes.”

As is true of most theater productions, it is the characters and the actors that portray them that create an impression; Moore wants everyone to know that the characters in Shakespeare’s works are people like any other, despite the way they speak, and that “The problems and emotions these characters have to tackle are real, relatable, and always relevant, and one of [his] biggest goals for this production is to invite the audience, especially those new to Shakespeare, to see themselves in this story.” The action of the play is fast-paced and chaotic, and this is reflected in the experiences of the characters—the audience knows far more of what is happening than they do.

One great example of this is Orsino, played by Victoria Ryan. Orsino is dramatically, obsessively in love with Olivia, and oblivious to two very important factors: one, that his serving man is actually a woman and in love with him, and two, that his overblown gestures of courtly romance are unwelcome. Ryan explained that he is earnest and believes he knows what love feels like through its portrayals in music and art. “His feelings for Olivia are, therefore, as true as he believes them to be,” she said. The events of the play challenge that belief, revealing to him what the audience knows all along: that’s not really love.

Another character the audience will enjoy knowing is mistaken is Malvolio, Olivia’s steward, played by Ella Mitchell. This role is traditionally played by an older man, however this time both character and actor are young women. Malvolio is something of an antagonist, but a devoted and foolishly arrogant one. She is driven by the desire for self-advancement, is susceptible to flattery, and often acts beyond the limits of her authority, which allows her to be tricked into believing that Olivia wishes to wed her; it seems like a dream come true. While the role is that of a comedic villain, Mitchell said “[she] personally [doesn’t] perceive her as a villain at all,” but instead a vulnerable and insecure character who is tempted by “greatness” and whose devotion to her mistress is genuine. “Because Olivia fulfills Malvolio’s need to have a little bit of power and control, Malvolio is eager for her attention and eager to fulfill her duties as steward and please Olivia. There has to be a level of devotion to Olivia within Malvolio or else Malvolio wouldn’t willingly fall into the trap set for her and willingly hope that Olivia is in love with her.” Malvolio’s downfall is therefore meaningful, if still amusing to the audience. Mitchell hopes that the audience will look beyond Malvolio’s exterior for the human qualities within—and also find the character even funnier as a young woman instead of a stuffy old man.

These characters are just two of many you will enjoy if you attend a “Twelfth Night” performance in Angel Park Friday, April 18, at 7 p.m., or Saturday, April 19, at 2 p.m. Bring a chair or a blanket and reserve your free ticket via Eventbrite <https://www.eventbrite.com/e/shakespeares-twelfth-night-or-what-you-will-tickets-1302107511619?aff=oddtdtcreator;. In the event of rain, the performance will be moved to the Studio Theater in the Tennessee Williams Center.