Twelfth Night

Play

Writers: William Shakespeare

Overview

Show Information

Category
Play
Number of Acts
5
First Produced
1602
Genres
Comedy
Settings
Multiple Settings, Period
Time & Place
the imaginary kingdom of illyria, time unknown
Cast Size
large
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal for
College/University, Ensemble Cast, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female
Casting Notes
Mostly male cast
Includes young adult, adult, mature adult characters

Synopsis

Often lauded as one of the most structurally perfect comedies ever written and beloved by audiences for generations, Twelfth Night; or, What You Will is a masterpiece. Shipwrecked on the shores of the strange land, Illyria, Viola believes herself alone in the world and her twin brother drowned. Disguising herself as a boy to work in the court of Illyria’s Count Orsino, Viola discovers her male disguise has proven all too effective: Orsino sends her as a go-between in his persistent love-suit to the unresponsive Olivia. Even as Viola sues for Olivia’s love on Orsino’s behalf, Viola falls in love with Orsino herself. What ensues is a cross-dressing comedy rife with pain and triumph, humor and madness, transformation and redemption.

Lead Characters


Twelfth Night guide sections