*Twelfth Night* and Its Questions

The love quadrangle of Twelfth Night includes Viola (Molly Davis), Sebastian (Scott Shomaker), Lady Olivia (Emily Martinez), and Duke Orsino (Tim Andersen). Photo Credit: Michael Reinmiller.

SO MANY QUESTIONS . . . 

Hamlet has been aptly described as a "question-generating machine" -- brilliantly raising more questions and uncertainties as it goes and even as a production or a reader tries to resolve them.

Of course, it would be strange if that happened in no other play by Shakespeare. It is better to think of all his plays as Q&A sessions, including Twelfth Night. Here are just two for the play subtitled What You Will (which could be another question).

First, how much is too much? That is, how much festivity and foolery go past healthy or useful bounds (think of Sir Toby and Feste)? How much self-love (think of Orsino, as well as Malvolio)? How much devotion (think of Viola and Antonio -- and Malvolio, too)? How much grief (think of Olivia and Viola and Sebastian)?

Also, what is the best expression of love to be found in the play? (Or: which relationship appears to be the most loving?)

Every good production addresses such questions. Some try to offer clear answers, which are of course open for reflection and discussion. Others try to make the questions as challenging or unsettling as possible. Let us know what you think our approach has been with the play. 

Flatwater Shakespeare Company's Twelfth Night opens in exactly one week, on Thursday, June 17 -- and opening night is already sold out! Tickets for the remaining three shows in The Stables at Wyuka are available here:

https://flatwatershakespearecompany.org/tickets-merchandise.html

After that, we are on the road for closing weekend. More on that soon!