Twelfth Night, a thrilling night of theatre

Last night I attended a one-night only showing of “Twelfth Night” put on by the Classical Theatre Project, directed by Will O’Hare.

The show is a knockout smash hit that had a packed audience screeching in their seats with belly laughs at the Lower Ossington Theatre. Tears seemed to be the only remedy for relief from the sidesplitting and even, at one point, show-stopping hilarity. The actor playing Malvolio (no program was available at the show) hit such a chord of funny bones at one point that he was unable to continue over the din of laughter produced by this delighted audience.

The play was presented in the fashion of five Vaudevillian actors putting on the show as if by improv out of a trunk of props, prompted by a highly suspicious selection process from the popular works of Shakespeare including “Hamlet” and “King Lear” drawn from a hat.

The players were all extremely skilled and multi-talented, bursting with unbridled energy and comedic abilities.

The show is sure to ignite the imaginations and tickle the funny bones of the young audiences to which it is directed. I’m sure even the crustiest curmudgeon will be cracked during the two-hours traffic of this production.

You’ll be hard pressed to find any theatrical event brimming with this much energy. Do yourself a favour and catch this show. You don’t have to take it just from me, but rather, let the enthusiasm of a particular young girl in attendance persuade you. She managed to get her family to post-pone their trip to Disney Land in order to attend this one night only performance .

Personally, it was great to see so many familiar faces in the audience. I got to reconnect with my friend David Gingerich whom I met at the Classical Theatre Lab. I also had a lovely chat with Anita La Selva who helped run the Shakespeare and Company Toronto Weekend Intensive where I met Will. And of course, Will O’Hare, who directed this sparkling show and also served as videographer on the night, capturing the show for digital posterity. The audience was also a buzz with the attendance of Susan Coyne, the co-creator and co-star of “Slings and Arrows”. Also sighted were cast members of the ctp production of “King Lear” at Hart House Theatre: Peter Higginson (Lear) and Benjamin Blais (Edmund).

Remember to bring a donation for the food bank when you go.

See the links below for more info:

facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Toronto-ON/The-Classical-Theatre-Project/36490947344?ref=ts#/pages/Toronto-ON/The-Classical-Theatre-Project/36490947344?v=wall&viewas=516028573

website:

http://www.classicaltheatreproject.ca/index.html