Twelfth Night

A fresh approach to Shakespeare is always a challenge, but sheer ingenuity seems to be serving Faction Theatre Company well in the first play of their current repertory season. Bodies twist, surge and tumble in a tempest formed of limbs; floating hands disturbingly confine a presumed-mad Malvolio; a box tree quickly sprouts from outstretched arms. It is about as physically inventive and joyously playful as Shakespearean comedy gets.

Comic misunderstanding is the order of the day in this tale of gender swapping and mistaken identity, which Faction bring to the stage with hysterical flourish. Shipwrecked and presuming her brother dead, Viola disguises herself as a man to enter the court of Duke Orsino, a concealment of identity that is just one of many catalysts for the perfectly pitched comedy.

Although this is essentially an ensemble piece, special mention must go to Gareth Fordred’s leering, limping Malvolio, undergoing a remarkable transformation as he falls victim to trickery, while Richard Delaney and Jonny McPherson are a hoot as moustachioed double act Belch and Aguecheek. There are lines that get lost or skidded over amongst the riotous, raw energy of Faction’s performance, but happily neither laughs nor creativity are wanting.

Catherine Love