Australian Shakespeare Company’s Summer Season in Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens continues with its production of Twelfth Night.
Much of the same creative team from the company’s previous show, Peter Quince Presents Shakespeare’s Best Bits, returns for this production. With Glenn Elston directing, that show’s cast further flexes their comedic chops with the help of some additional new players.
Twelfth Night delivers another rollicking night of comedy under the stars, serving as a great opportunity for friends and family to come together for a cracking show.
Twelfth Night is a romantic comedy centred around a gender-bent case of mistaken identity. The story sees twins Viola (Elizabeth Brennan) and Sebastian (Scott Middleton) separated in a shipwreck and land on the island of Illyria.
Viola disguises herself as a man and finds work under the lovesick Duke Orsino (Hugh Sexton). She is made to help Orsino win over the love of the mourning Countess Olivia (Nicole Nabout), who instead falls in love with the disguised Viola.
Meanwhile, Olivia’s uncle Toby Belch (Jackson McGovern) teams up with servants Fabian (Henny Walters) and Maria (Maddie Somers), the fool Feste (Alex Cooper) and friend Sir Andrew (Tony Rive) to trick Olivia’s servant Malvolio (Peter Houghton) into believing that Olivia is in love with him.
The returning cast from Peter Quince, as well as the newcomers, all put on fantastic performances ranging from the serious to the manic, and sometimes doing a bit of both.
Jackson McGovern as Sir Tony Belch is particularly delightful as he drunkenly moseys about the stage, occasionally picking fights with audience members.
Elizabeth Brennan as Viola / Cesario does an excellent job of walking a tightrope between femme and masculine. Peter Haughton perfectly portrays Malvolio’s slow descent into madness.
Nicole Nabout’s turn as the countess Olivia is a particularly fun performance to watch as the mournful countess is turned ravenous by her love for Cesario.
This production of Twelfth Night is a fairly straightforward adaptation of the original script, but it introduces several songs that are performed throughout, featuring light audience interaction.
The songs are certainly a highlight, with Alex Cooper showing off his skills on guitar throughout the show. The cast comes together to deliver some truly beautiful harmonies.
Indeed, the entire show is hilarious, particularly whenever the scheming servants are on stage.
Production-wise, the bones of the set are very much the same as Peter Quince. It has been dressed, however, to better fit the setting of Illyria. This includes foliage, Renaissance period art and a few hidden pieces that reveal themselves throughout the show. As expected, the costuming and makeup are of the highest standard.
Some unique challenges come up for an outdoor event. Especially in a city like Melbourne, where the seasons exist mostly as a suggestion rather than anything else.
On opening night, the first act was regularly impeded by rain. The performers barely seemed to notice, however. Aside from makeup running off some of their faces, the show indeed went on without a hitch.
Apart from the weather, the space within the Royal Botanic Gardens provides a great atmosphere for the show. There is plenty of space to roll out a picnic mat and gather around with friends and family.
Twelfth Night is another hit out of the park for the Australian Shakespeare Company’s Summer season in Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens. It can be enjoyed right throughout the month of February.
Twelfth Night is presented by the Australian Shakespeare Company and runs to 28 February at the Royal Botanic Gardens. Southern Cross Lawn (enter through Observatory Gate on Birdwood Avenue).
Tickets: https://tickets.shakespeareaustralia.com.au/sales/performances/under-the-stars/twelfthnight
Website: https://www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au/productions/twelfth-night-2026
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/shakespeareaust/
Photo credits: Ben Fon
