Shakespeare, Laughs, and More with CAST'S 'Twelfth Night'

This is too hard a knot for me to untie.

Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe brings William Shakespeare’s classic play Twelfth Night to the stage. After a shipwreck, Viola, a young woman, washes ashore onto Illyria, an unfamiliar island. She disguises herself as a man named Cesario and works for Duke Orsino. A mix-up of love affairs and mistaken identities ensues as they try to resolve dilemmas.

I had a fantastic time attending the Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe’s production of Twelfth Night. This Shakespearean play was ahead of its time, highlighting love, identity, and self-discovery. CAST’s rendition of Twelfth Night took an imaginative approach while identifying morals that are still relevant today.

The cast of Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe dove into the complex dimension of this play, excelling in bringing extraordinary depth to their performances. Each character in Twelfth Night serves a distinct purpose. The cast’s performance brought out more than a Shakespearean tale, creating a new visual telling that they were excited to share.

Viola is a strong female character, portrayed with profound exploration and charm by Allegra Dubas-Brandolini. Viola/Cesario is a dual role. Women were limited in expressing their minds in Shakespeare's time. Through Viola’s portrayal of Cesario, this character demonstrates how identity can shape new perspectives and lead to self-acceptance.

The whole cast excels in the study of their characters. Billy Jenkins and Andrew Bove were the comedy kings as Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek. These two provide endless laughs as they plot, bumble, and run about in drunken comical antics.

In theater, there is no such thing as a small part. Characters like Maria (Kristin Harris), Malvolio (David Lee Vincent), and Olivia (Jena Jekums) strike perfect balances of clever ideas in this story’s dizzying world of romance. The ensemble of pirates are also a riot.

No show ever goes on without a tech crew. Starting with the set, Kevin Lee and Eric Sayer constructed the Gloucester Stage Company theater to resemble the island of Illyria. Tall pier masts hold a half-collapsed ‘Illyria’ sign. Scenes transition to a fortress, a cafe, or the seashore throughout the show.

To make the sea life more authentic, barrels were donated from the Boston Tea Party Museum fitting the show’s atmosphere. The play opens with a thrilling shipwreck immediately pulling audiences in demonstrating innovative lighting effects. I also loved the costumes, from pretty dresses to the pirate's poofy pants, and colorful jackets.

The cast is having the time of their lives up on stage. That’s what matters in any show. They’re having fun telling stories and introducing audiences to Shakespeare. And when they’re having fun, so is the audience. Laughter echoed throughout the theater. The audience had a terrific time watching (and occasionally being a part of) CAST’s Twelfth Night.

Director Mark Efinger and co-director Billy Lewand encouraged their actors to fully embody their characters and contribute creative ideas. Their vision of Twelfth Night placed a special focus on the show’s themes. Shakespeare’s lessons on self-discovery and identity remain relevant today.

Plays like Twelfth Night are why we perform visual tellings of the famous William Shakespeare’s works. Every story is wrapped in layers, inviting curious minds to analyze its meanings. Over the last few years, I have come to appreciate Shakespeare more. Shakespeare left behind lessons, telling them in a different format that leaves an impact.

Whether you’re a Shakespeare fan or enjoy theater, get a ticket to CAST’s Twelfth Night at Gloucester Stage Company. The show’s final weekend is Nov. 15-17. Prepare to laugh and be whisked away on a pirate adventure.