Play tells a love story (From Stroud News and Journal)

Play tells a love story

IF TWELFTH Night be the food of love then Cheltenham is set to have a banquet next week when the play comes to the Everyman.

Directed by the Everyman's artistic director, Sue Colverd, Twelfth Night, which was postponed from last autumn, is Shakespeare's classic play of love and romance, leavened with a large helping of comedy, mistaken identity, double crossing (and that's not just the garters) and larger than life characters.

"Everyone can identify with at least one of the characters in Twelfth Night and the situations they find themselves in" says Sue Colverd.

"There's Orsino, who's suffering from unrequited love, Viola who loves Orsino at first sight but can't tell him and then there's Malvolio, who's desperate for anyone to love him."

The production has a breathtaking set designed by Sue Condie, sumptuous costumes and beautiful live music. The cast also boasts a reunion of the stars from the Everyman's 2002 pantomime, Dick Whittington.

Roger McKern, who was King Rat, plays Malvolio and Antonio and is re-united with Paul Milton, previously his evil side-kick Rodney Rodent, who plays Feste. Mark Carey, who played Sarah Suet the Cook, also returns as Orsino and Sir Andrew Aguecheek.

Twelfth Night runs at the Everyman from Tuesday, March 18 to Saturday March 22. The play starts at 7.45pm Tuesday to Friday and 8pm on Saturday. There are matinees on Wednesday and Thursday at 2pm at a Friday morning performance at 10am. Tickets are available from the box office.