Twelfth Night [Mass Market Paperback]

One of Shakespeare's finest comedies, Twelfth Night, was written at the same time as Hamlet and Troilus and Cressida, and while it shares their fascination with sex, death and confused identities, its exuberant comedy and linguistic inventiveness rises above the introspection of these plays. Viola and her twin brother Sebastian are separated in a storm that washes them both up at different points on the shores of Illyria. Believing each other to be dead, both attempt to survive by using their wits. Viola cross-dresses and enters the service of the lovesick Orsino, in love with Olivia, an heiress in mourning for the loss of her brother. Orsino's saucy young page Cesario (Viola) soon falls in love with "his" master, who tells "him", "all is semblative a woman's part". Unfortunately, while Viola falls in love with Orsino, Olivia falls in love with her alter ego, Cesario, while also being pursued at the same time by her pompous servant Malvolio. Olivia's house is also turned upside down by the antics of her drunker uncle, Sir Toby Belch, and the whole crazy situation reaches boiling point when Sebastian reappears.

Despite the madcap plot, Twelfth Night remains one of Shakespeare's most complex and inventive comedies, fascinated with questions of cross-dressing, gender confusion, language and inversion, as well as retaining a darker edge to some of its laughter. --Jerry Brotton --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Grade 9 Up-William Shakespeare's comedy of disguised and deceptive love is entertainingly brought to listeners on these high-quality audiocassettes. Using the complete text from the New Cambridge Shakespeare text, the production presents a full cast of accomplished Shakespearean actors and actresses who skillfully convey the emotion and meaning, confusion and humor of this popular play. When twins Sebastian and Viola are shipwrecked and separated off the coast of Illyria, each believes the other is dead. Viola disguises herself as a boy, becomes a page of Duke Orsinio, and falls in love with him. The Duke is hopelessly in love with Olivia, but she is in the process of mourning her brother's death and becomes infatuated with Viola as she/he delivers messages for the Duke. When Sebastian shows up, Olivia confuses him with the Duke's page (Olivia) and marries the astonished young man. All is cleared up eventually when Viola and Sebatian meet and recognize each other. In the midst of all of this romantic confusion, servants and family members provide comic relief with their pompous, pretentious, and sometimes inebriated behavior. Early English music and excellent sound effects are sparingly included, yet add greatly to this performance. Reading along with the text is optional as the production moves at an easy-to-follow pace, and characterizations are clear and captivating. A booklet with background and a synopsis of the play, photos and descriptions of each cast member, and starting points for each scene on the proper tape side is a useful addition. For its entertainment value or as a supplement to the curriculum, this excellent audioplay is highly recommended.
Marilyn Higgins, Metuchen High School, NJ
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

`The commentary on Twelfth Night is alive with the editors' feeling for the play in performance.' M.M. Mahoud, University of Kent, YES, 27, 1996 --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Completely re-edited, the New Folger Library edition of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night puts readers in touch with current ways of thinking about the man and his work. The text is based on what the editors consider the best early printed version of the play. Contains explanatory notes, introduction, biography, and more. Illustrated.

Using the complete, unabridged New Cambridge Shakespeare edition text of the play, this recording of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night (available on cassette or CD) uses a full professional cast, sound effects and accompanying music. Starring Stella Gonet as Viola, with Christopher Godwin as Malvolio, Lucy Whybrow as Olivia, Jane Whittenshaw as Maria, Benjamin Soames as Sebastian and Adam Kotz as Antonio. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

black and white line illustrations throughout

Twelfth Night is an occasion for revelry and reversals. Confusions of identity and gender abound as Viola, dressed as a page for her lovelorn Count, accidentally woos Olivia for herself. One of Shakespeare's last "festive" comedies, Twelfth Night invites the audience into its holiday world while it questions this same dramatic structure. This authoritative edition, one of the most vital editions available, includes facing-page text and notes, a chronology of Shakespeare's life and times, and a rich selection of critical and theatrical responses to each play over the centuries. Everyman's edition also offers a unique foreword discussing performance of the play by Alec McCowen. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

William Shakespeare lived between 1552-1616, but his work endures and is enjoyed the world over. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Shakespeare's romantic comedy is directed by Nicolas Soames. Disguised as a boy, Viola, a shipwrecked maiden, enters the service of Duke Orsino, with whom she falls in love. He, however, loves Olivia and sends Viola to woo her for him. The cast makes the play easy to follow and has fun with the complications and the comic characters, Sir Andrew Aguecheek and Sir Toby Belch, the inflated Malvolio, and the sarcastic Feste. Y.R. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine