Parson's Nose Family Theater


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SOME RANDOM NOTES ON "TWELFTH NIGHT"
by Lance Davis 2002

These notes pertain only to my short, comic version of Parson's Nose Productions' " Twelfth Night" as performed at The Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles in 2002. To scholars my interpretations may appear somewhat simplistic, but my purpose is to tell the story clearly, in broad strokes, leaving the obvious virtues of the full play to a more lengthy and complete production.

"Twelfth Night," in this version, is a play about people seeing what they want to see, instead of what is. The obvious examples are Malvolio's twisted interpretation of the letter, Orsino's blindness to Olivia's disinterest, Olivia's infatuation with Cesario, Sir Andrew's willingness to believe Sir Toby, and everyone's misread of Viola's disguise.

Viola, finding herself in a real situation of survival, can't afford to indulge in such misperception. She is even trapped in her own chosen disguise. And in the misguided world surrounding her, her straightforward perspective becomes one of her most beguiling traits. Like Feste, she sees through the artifice of Orsino's infatuation to the man underneath, and sympathizes with Olivia's fledgling need for love in her secluded Puritanical household.

Malvolio is a Calvinist bully, who has set himself up as Olivia's Rasputin, and should be played as such. There's a temptation to play Malvolio as a wronged and suffering Shylock, which invokes audience sympathy, but also throws off his deserved come-uppance by the abused "old guard," Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, Feste and Maria. Malvolio brings his abuse upon himself by his judgemental, righteous declarations.

It's important that we feel Malvoio's oppression is dangerous for Olivia. She sees new life and salvation in Cesario's straighforwardness. But unfortunately, Cesario can't help her.

Orsino is in love with Love. In his obsession he refuses to see that love unreturned cannot endure. It cannot be forced or bought. It must be a two way street.

Sebastian is Viola's spiritual twin. He is noble, direct, full of wonder and the kind of improvisational adventurer that marks many of Shakepeare's heroes and heroines.

Sir Andrew hints at the failed inbred aristocracy, though he too was "adored once."
Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, Feste and Maria personify Shakespeare's farewell to the Golden Age before the New Order. "Merry Old England" now quelled by Cromwell's rise. They are more akin to the characters of "Merry Wives," and have no place in the new Calvinist world of Malvolio. They are Lutherans, predestined, with a sense of "We shall pass this way but once..."

Music reflects the mood of the production. It can be funny ( Feste's choices, after all ) as long as it meets the needs of the scene. But please, please, no rap.

Parson's Nose Family Theater - 1325 Monterey Road - South Pasadena, CA 91030 parsonsnose@pacbell.net

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