REVIEW
Southend Shakespeare Company presents
TWELFTH NIGHT
by William Shakespeare
Southchurch Park – 13 July 2025
"Fun and Frolics in the Park"
Southend Shakespeare Company presents
TWELFTH NIGHT
by William Shakespeare
Southchurch Park – 13 July 2025
"Fun and Frolics in the Park"
Twelfth Night has always been one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies and Southend Shakespeare certainly grabbed it with both hands. What can be better than sitting in the sunshine with a picnic and a glass of wine, and having a good laugh? This production certainly had laughs in bucket loads.
The story a familiar one, brother and sister, twins are split up due to a ship wreck and what follows are mistaken identities and the introduction of some very odd characters.
Viola (Briony Evans) dresses up in her dead brother’s clothes and adopts the identity of Cesario. He/she is hired by Duke Orsino (Marius Clements) to send his vows of love to Olivia (Megan Condon) who isn’t interested. Of course, the inevitable happens, Olivia falls for Cesario. Along the way, a motley crew of characters cause mayhem. They play a trick on Olivia’s stuffy servant Malvolio (James Carter) and turn him into a smiling idiot in yellow stockings. This ends with the poor man being locked up as insane.
Marius Clements has strong stage presence as the Duke. His famous opening speech about ‘If music be the food of love,’ to a cacophony of strange musical performances by a troupe of Morris Dancers called the Willie Shakers, meant his ‘Enough, No More,’ was echoed by the audience. It was very funny when he realised he was in love with the boy, Cesario, but as she revealed herself as a woman, his delivery of ‘Thank God,’ would have brought the house down, but even in open air, it caused great hilarity.
There was not a weak performance in the whole production. I particularly liked Matthew Willis as Feste, playing the jester as a cheeky chappie, barrow boy, who can do magic tricks and juggle. He even joins in an East End knees up with a rendition of 'Any Old Iron' with the Willie Shakers. Who knew Shakespeare wrote those songs? Not!
Megan Condon played the scenes, where she is lusting after Cesario, with great gusto, as she becomes all of a dither, and Briony Evans gives a sparky performance as her love interest. This is one of the few productions where the twins actually do look similar, and the audience doesn't have to suspend disbelief about the mistaken identities.
Andrew Sugden as the rumbustious, drunkard, Sir Toby Belch who sets up his idiot friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Brian Eastty) to fight a duel, gave great support. Brian played the silly ass, to great effect, with a rather strange moneybag hanging down the front of his trousers.
This play is full of recognisable quotes, ‘and some have greatness thrust upon them', ‘better a witty fool, than a foolish wit,'and ‘Westward Ho!’ amongst others.
Well done to the directors, Elena Clements and Nick Bright, for an entertaining afternoon.
Even if you’re not a Shakespeare buff, you will enjoy this wonderful play. The whole production brings a smile to your face from start to finish.
The performances continue around the town so look out for them.
Review Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
The story a familiar one, brother and sister, twins are split up due to a ship wreck and what follows are mistaken identities and the introduction of some very odd characters.
Viola (Briony Evans) dresses up in her dead brother’s clothes and adopts the identity of Cesario. He/she is hired by Duke Orsino (Marius Clements) to send his vows of love to Olivia (Megan Condon) who isn’t interested. Of course, the inevitable happens, Olivia falls for Cesario. Along the way, a motley crew of characters cause mayhem. They play a trick on Olivia’s stuffy servant Malvolio (James Carter) and turn him into a smiling idiot in yellow stockings. This ends with the poor man being locked up as insane.
Marius Clements has strong stage presence as the Duke. His famous opening speech about ‘If music be the food of love,’ to a cacophony of strange musical performances by a troupe of Morris Dancers called the Willie Shakers, meant his ‘Enough, No More,’ was echoed by the audience. It was very funny when he realised he was in love with the boy, Cesario, but as she revealed herself as a woman, his delivery of ‘Thank God,’ would have brought the house down, but even in open air, it caused great hilarity.
There was not a weak performance in the whole production. I particularly liked Matthew Willis as Feste, playing the jester as a cheeky chappie, barrow boy, who can do magic tricks and juggle. He even joins in an East End knees up with a rendition of 'Any Old Iron' with the Willie Shakers. Who knew Shakespeare wrote those songs? Not!
Megan Condon played the scenes, where she is lusting after Cesario, with great gusto, as she becomes all of a dither, and Briony Evans gives a sparky performance as her love interest. This is one of the few productions where the twins actually do look similar, and the audience doesn't have to suspend disbelief about the mistaken identities.
Andrew Sugden as the rumbustious, drunkard, Sir Toby Belch who sets up his idiot friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Brian Eastty) to fight a duel, gave great support. Brian played the silly ass, to great effect, with a rather strange moneybag hanging down the front of his trousers.
This play is full of recognisable quotes, ‘and some have greatness thrust upon them', ‘better a witty fool, than a foolish wit,'and ‘Westward Ho!’ amongst others.
Well done to the directors, Elena Clements and Nick Bright, for an entertaining afternoon.
Even if you’re not a Shakespeare buff, you will enjoy this wonderful play. The whole production brings a smile to your face from start to finish.
The performances continue around the town so look out for them.
Review Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
Below: Photos from Malcolm Toll of the play being performed at Southchurch Hall
The next performance is:-
Saturday 19 July 6.30pm
Essex Wildlife Trust - Belfairs Woodland Centre
Sunday 20th July
Essex Wildlife Trust – Thameside Discovery Park
Wednesday 23 July – Saturday 26th July
Leigh Library Gardens – 7.30pm
Tickets: Adults £10. Children £5 – On the door.
Bring your own seating
Information 01702 473163
Saturday 19 July 6.30pm
Essex Wildlife Trust - Belfairs Woodland Centre
Sunday 20th July
Essex Wildlife Trust – Thameside Discovery Park
Wednesday 23 July – Saturday 26th July
Leigh Library Gardens – 7.30pm
Tickets: Adults £10. Children £5 – On the door.
Bring your own seating
Information 01702 473163
Southend Shakespeare Company presents
TWELFTH NIGHT
by William Shakespeare
TWELFTH NIGHT
by William Shakespeare
CURTAIN CALL WITH BRIONY EVANS from Thundersley who is playing the role of Viola
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When did you start to take an interest in theatre? Did you take part in any productions at school?
My interest in theatre roots from my love for literature growing up. Reading books late into the night was where the passion began to spark. I was always put off from school productions because they were musicals - singing stays in the shower for me! Are or were any members of your immediate family involved in drama? No, but my family has always encouraged me. Some of my fondest memories growing up were trips to the panto with my grandparents. Have you done any sort of formal training for acting/singing/dancing? Not formally; I was part of a youth theatre when I was in my early teens which focused on improv work. Do you have any specialist skills – anything from stilt walking to dress-making – which you work into your repertoire? I love Dungeons and Dragons. I think the skills of role-playing, communication and the sense of imagination required in the game have helped me in my acting. Which experience/role do you regard as the highlight of your amdram career to date? Playing Miranda in The Tempest was my first amdram show role. The adrenaline rush of my first show ever is a lovely memory. |
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What has been your most embarrassing moment involving drama, on or off stage?
Again, in The Tempest, Miranda bids Caliban farewell during the final act with a kiss on the cheek. One night, to my horror, I found that my face had been covered in Caliban’s face paint only after I had left the stage!
Are your friends mostly involved in theatre - perhaps even working with you on a regular basis - or do you socialise across a wider circle?
Before I joined the Southend Shakespeare Company, my social circle was limited. Since joining, I have found a wider sense of community within the SSC with people from more diverse walks of life. It’s great.
Which actor do you most admire and why?
I love actors with distinctly expressive and unique physicality in their performances: Isabelle Adjani in Possession, Adam Driver in Annette, Vivien Leigh in A Streetcar Named Desire, Emma Stone in Poor Things and Conrad Veidt in The Cabinet of Dr Caligari are a few of my favourites.
What role would you most like to play and why?
I would love to play a tragic character like Ophelia. But my future dream would be to play dark female roles such as Medea, Lady Macbeth or Blanche DuBois when I am the right age.
Ever corpsed on stage? What happened?
Not properly, but in the past I have forgotten a few words and panicked, stumbling through the line with totally anachronistic modern language.
Tell us a bit about your part in Twelfth Night.
Twelfth Night is a romantic comedy about a young woman who finds herself shipwrecked in the strange land of Illyria. Believing her twin brother is dead, she disguises herself as a man to survive… but a complicated love triangle soon ensues.
Viola is a fantastic character full of multitudes. She subverts our modern understanding of women in the Elizabethan era as a woman who is witty, assertive and opinionated yet simultaneously a hopeless romantic. It has been really interesting to interpret her character!
Any plans for the future, after Twelfth Night?
I am looking forward to taking part in future productions with the Southend Shakespeare Company. Twelfth Night is only my second show - I can't wait to see what the future holds.
Outside of the stage, I would also love to direct some short films based on my written screenplays.
Any tricks for remembering your lines or other useful tips to pass on to others involved in drama?
I think repetition is the dreaded answer- going over lines again and again is the most foolproof method. When it comes to Shakespeare’s works specifically I think finding rhythm with the language helps the words fall into place, too.
Again, in The Tempest, Miranda bids Caliban farewell during the final act with a kiss on the cheek. One night, to my horror, I found that my face had been covered in Caliban’s face paint only after I had left the stage!
Are your friends mostly involved in theatre - perhaps even working with you on a regular basis - or do you socialise across a wider circle?
Before I joined the Southend Shakespeare Company, my social circle was limited. Since joining, I have found a wider sense of community within the SSC with people from more diverse walks of life. It’s great.
Which actor do you most admire and why?
I love actors with distinctly expressive and unique physicality in their performances: Isabelle Adjani in Possession, Adam Driver in Annette, Vivien Leigh in A Streetcar Named Desire, Emma Stone in Poor Things and Conrad Veidt in The Cabinet of Dr Caligari are a few of my favourites.
What role would you most like to play and why?
I would love to play a tragic character like Ophelia. But my future dream would be to play dark female roles such as Medea, Lady Macbeth or Blanche DuBois when I am the right age.
Ever corpsed on stage? What happened?
Not properly, but in the past I have forgotten a few words and panicked, stumbling through the line with totally anachronistic modern language.
Tell us a bit about your part in Twelfth Night.
Twelfth Night is a romantic comedy about a young woman who finds herself shipwrecked in the strange land of Illyria. Believing her twin brother is dead, she disguises herself as a man to survive… but a complicated love triangle soon ensues.
Viola is a fantastic character full of multitudes. She subverts our modern understanding of women in the Elizabethan era as a woman who is witty, assertive and opinionated yet simultaneously a hopeless romantic. It has been really interesting to interpret her character!
Any plans for the future, after Twelfth Night?
I am looking forward to taking part in future productions with the Southend Shakespeare Company. Twelfth Night is only my second show - I can't wait to see what the future holds.
Outside of the stage, I would also love to direct some short films based on my written screenplays.
Any tricks for remembering your lines or other useful tips to pass on to others involved in drama?
I think repetition is the dreaded answer- going over lines again and again is the most foolproof method. When it comes to Shakespeare’s works specifically I think finding rhythm with the language helps the words fall into place, too.
Lost identities, mistaken love, and riotous revelry—Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is a joyful celebration of love and laughter under the summer sky!
Shipwrecked and alone, Viola disguises herself as a man, setting off a whirlwind of comic confusion in the court of Illyria. As love triangles tangle, mischievous pranks unfold, and fools outwit the wise, the play delivers wit, warmth, and romance in abundance.
Join the Southend Shakespeare Company for this enchanting open-air performance, where the Bard’s beloved comedy comes to life in the fresh breeze of the summer. Music, mischief, and merriment await—let the revels begin!
Cast :-
VIOLA, DISGUISED AS CESARIO - BRIONY EVANS
SEBASTIAN, HER TWIN BOTHER – PARKER JACE
A SEA CAPTAIN, AID TO VIOLA - MARK BAKER
ORSINO, DUKE OF ILLYRIA - MARIUS CLEMENTS
VALENTINE, A SERVANT TO ORSINO - VANESSA OSBORN
CURIO, A SERVANT TO ORSINO - GILLIAN BATES
OLIVIA, A WEALTHY COUNTESS - MEGAN CONDON
MALVOLIO, HER STEWARD - JAMES CARTER
MARIA - OLIVIA'S GENTLEWOMAN - JULIE CARTER
SIR TOBY BELCH, OLIVIA'S UNCLE - ANDREW SUGDEN
SIR ANDREW AGUECHEEK, A FRIEND OF SIR TOBY - BRIAN EASTTY
FABIA - A SERVANT TO OLIVIA - MADELEINE AYRES
FESTE, OLIVIA'S JESTER - MATTHEW WILLIS
MUSICIAN TO FESTE - MADDY SPINK
ANTONIO, A NOTABLE PIRATE - TOM McCARTHY
OFFICERS - GILLIAN BATES & GEORGE BASSETT
A PRIEST - MICHAEL CLEMENTS
*MUSIC FROM THE WILLIE SHAKERS CHORAL ENSEMBLE WITH MEMBERS OF THE COMPANY*
ON SATURDAY 26TH JULY, THE PART OF THE SEA CAPTAIN WILL BE PLAYED BY LIAM BAILEY
DIRECTED BY ELENA CLEMENTS AND NICK BRIGHT
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR - SANDRA SMITH
STAGE MANAGER - JESS ACKLAND
COSTUME BY - MADELEINE CARTER
WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO - LIAM BAILEY & TRACEY PEACOCK
For more information about the SSC visit our website at
www.southendshakespeare.org.uk