Globe Education Online

Sebastian [Rhys Meredith] and Viola / Cesario [Michael Brown]. Photo: John Tramper

Olivia [Mark Rylance]. Photo: John Tramper.

directed by Tim Carroll

Tell her, my love, more noble than the world, Prizes not quantity of dirty lands; The parts that fortune hath bestow'd upon her, Tell her, I hold as giddily as fortune; But 'tis that miracle and queen of gems That nature pranks her in attracts my soul.
2.4.80-85

Believing her twin brother Sebastian to have drowned after a shipwreck which she has survived, the young Viola is stranded on the mysterious island of Illyria. Disguising herself as the page Cesario, she enters the service of the handsome Duke Orsino, who is madly in love with the beautiful Countess Olivia. But when, while delivering a letter, the Countess falls helplessly in love with the disguised messenger herself, Viola realises her problems have only just begun.

Meanwhile, the annual night of fun and feasting is being enjoyed to the full by Olivia's roguish cousin Sir Toby Belch. Together with the gentlewoman Maria and his guest - Olivia's hapless suitor Sir Andrew Aguecheek - the prankster Belch schemes to embarrass the pompous steward Malvolio ...

Creative Team

Master of Play - Tim Carroll
Master of the Words - Giles Block 
Master of Voice - Stewart Pearce
Master of Clothing and Properties - Jenny Tiramani

 Cast

Michael Brown - Viola
Rhys Meredith - Sebastien
Colin Hurley - Antonio
Mark Rylance - Olivia
Paul Chahidi - Maria
Peter Hamilton Dyer - Feste
Timothy Walker - Malvolio
Bill Stewart - Sir Toby Belch
Albie Woodington - Sir Andrew Aguecheek
Liam Brennan - Duke Orsino
Jan Knightley - Fabian/Captain
Peter Shorey - Valentine/Priest
Simon Hyde - Curio/Officer

Discover the Play

• Discover the actors' experiences whilst making the production in Adopt an Actor:

- Peter Hamilton Dyer as Feste
- Timothy Walker as Malvolio
- Paul Chahidi as Maria
- Mark Rylance as Olivia
- Michael Brown as Viola

Twelfth Night was performed in 2002, as part of the Season of Cupid and Psyche.