On April 24, 2020, I had the opportunity to watch Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night on the National Theatre’s official YouTube website. This production, lasting 2 hours and 42 minutes and featuring English subtitles, was a live recording of a stage performance from 2017. Directed by Simon Godwin, the play boasted a talented cast including Tamsin Greig, Daniel Rigby, Tamara Lawrence, Doon Mackichan, and Daniel Ezra. Despite watching it online, I could still feel the energy of the packed theater.

Twelfth Night, one of Shakespeare’s renowned comedies, revolves around two main plots. The first centers on twins Viola and Sebastian, who are separated during a shipwreck, each presuming the other to be dead. Viola disguises herself as a man to serve Duke Orsino, who is infatuated with the wealthy Olivia. However, Olivia ends up falling in love with Viola, while Viola herself is smitten with the Duke. Meanwhile, Captain Antonio rescues Sebastian, and they develop a close friendship. Eventually, Olivia mistakes Sebastian for Viola, leading to a romantic entanglement, while the Duke discovers his true feelings for Viola. The second plot involves the characters Toby, Maria, Andrew, Clown, and Fabian, who harbor a strong dislike for Olivia’s steward, Malvolio, and conspire to play a cruel trick on him.

The National Theatre’s production remains faithful to the original play while rearranging certain scenes for a smoother narrative flow. Notably, they placed “Scene First of Act Second” before “Scene Fifth of Act First.”

I was particularly impressed by the character of Malvolio, portrayed by the talented Tamsin Greig. Through her performance, we witnessed the transformation of a cold-hearted and conservative steward into a woman with a caring and romantic heart. Greig fearlessly donned the yellow stockings with cross-garters, as instructed in the infamous letter. She skillfully conveyed Malvolio’s internal struggles when mistaken for a madwoman by her mistress, her fear while confined in darkness, and her profound sadness upon discovering the truth about the trick played on her by Olivia. I couldn’t help but feel immense sympathy for her and wished for a more positive outcome. Towards the end of the show, I even found myself imagining that Toby or Andrew might fall in love with her.

In addition to the compelling performances, I greatly admired the set design and music of the production. The introductory music by the saxophone player set a comedic tone for the entire play. The incorporation of modern lighting and contemporary dances during the musical interludes created a lighthearted and relaxed atmosphere, effectively bridging the gap between the “ancient” story and the present. All the actors showcased their singing talents, with the actress playing the Clown delivering a remarkable performance on par with that of a professional musician. While watching the show, I compared it to the original work and found myself in awe of the musicians who composed the beautiful and impactful songs and poems. They even included a musical rendition of Shakespeare’s famous quote: “To be or not to be, that is the question.” The lighting effects, particularly the use of blue lights to depict the ship and the dynamic backdrop during the dance sequences, were stunning. The flashing lights and rhythmic music created an atmosphere reminiscent of a disco room, which was an unexpected yet delightful connection to Shakespeare’s story. The various set elements, such as the curved potting, the wooden stairs resembling a ship, and the running water setting, added further visual effects to the production. The costumes were equally impressive, reflecting the comedic impact and bridging the gap between the Shakespearean and modern periods. The outfits worn by the Clown, Malvolia, and Andrew showcased the incredible imagination and design talent of the costume designer.

Watching this show, I gained valuable insights that withstand the test of time: true love surpasses material wealth and power, and women should enjoy equal rights as men.