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"Twelfth Night" |
Duke Orsino pines for the love of Lady Olivia who refuses him to mourn for the death of her brother. Viola survives a shipwreck, disguises herself as a young boy, "Cesario," and goes to work for the Duke Orsino. Sir Toby carouses with his friends Sir Andrew and Maria. Already deep in love with Orsino, the disguised Viola woos Olivia for him. Olivia begins to fall in love with the young messenger "Cesario". Viola's twin brother, Sebastion, arrives in Illyria. Both twins think the other has been drowned in the shipwreck. Viola receives a ring from Olivia and figures the Lady has fallen in love with "him". Sir Toby, Maria and Sir Andrew conceive a plot involving a letter that will make the prudish Malvolio look like a fool in front of Olivia. Maria drops the letter where Malvolio finds it, persuading him that Olivia loves him. Olivia confesses her love to Viola but is rejected. Sir Toby tries to arrange a duel between Andrew and "Cesario". The normally gloomy Malvolio appears smiling and in yello stockings, as he believes Olivia wishes. She, in turn, thinks he has gone insane. Andrew and Viola are pushed into a duel which is stopped by Antonio who thinks Viola is Sebastion. Officers arrest Antonio and Toby plots a rematch. Sebastion arrives and everyone mistakes him for "Cesario." Andrew challenges "Cesario" to a fight, but Olivia stops them. Feste torments the "mad" Malvolio. Sebastion is confused as to why the beautiful Olivia loves him, but decides to marry her. Orsinio arrives and Olivia reveals her marriage to "Cesario". Andrew and Toby are hurt in the duel with Sebastion. Sebastion arrives and resolves the mistaken identity. Olivia hears of the trick played on Malvolio who vows revenge. Orsino now has the love of Viola, Olivia has Sebastion, and all is done as Feste sings an epilogue.
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Welcome to the inaugural season of the Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre. It is with much joy and high hope that brings us to this moment. This is truly a dream come true. For a great many years we have considered bringing Shakespeare’s works to Fairbanks and it is a wondrous feeling to see this dream become a reality.
We have chosen Twelfth Night as the opening production for several reasons. It is a play that captures the human spirit, a light comedy that explores the darker sides of life. According to the Arden Edition, Twelfth Night has “a silvery tone of sadness”, yet remains “one of the comedies of Shakespeare’s bright, sweet time”. Audiences can find a bit of themselves in each of the characters as they search for true love. Twelfth Night is a play that lets you laugh, but makes you stop and ponder as well. We hope that tonight you can sit and enjoy the antics and foolery and smile at all of our follies in Life’s struggles.
No dream can come true without a lot of dedication and perseverance. This dream has not come easy. The names of those who gave their time, talent, love, and inspiration appear within this program. The people of this company have played many roles already. They have all been landscapers, salespeople, painters, costumers, carpenters, singers, street performers, baby sitters, cooks, dishwashers, but above all, loving artists with a purpose: to bring this play to you. To all of them, I dedicate this production. I dream that in the year 2043, as the 50th Annual Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre opens its season, the company members have the same vision and spirit.
Sean Ryan Kelley
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Delightful Production
July 20, 1993
Printed in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
To the Editor:
I think all residents and visitors to Fairbanks should be aware of the wonderful Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre production of "Twelfth Night" now running at Riverfront Field downtown. The News-Miner recently featured this new company in Heartland magazine and on its front page, and the ensemble is just as much fun as it looks in the newspaper!
The production is delightful, and the setting is something the Bard would have appreciated. Hewn from trees of all kinds, the simple pieces are artistic and imaginatively used. Even the accompaniment of the summer sounds of Fairbanks and the river add to the merriment of the proceedings.
Go see it. Bring your chair and a light sweater for the later hour, and enjoy, enjoy.
Yours truly,
Susie Hackett
Fairbanks
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