Shakespeare in LA

Mark Rylance and Johhny Flynn. Photos by Simon Annand

Lovers of Shakespeare are in for a real treat when Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre brings its all-male Original Practices production of Twelfth Night to local cinemas on September 22. Starring award-winning actors Mark Rylance as Olivia and Stephen Fry as Malvolio, the film gives audiences an exclusive opportunity to see this unique performance from the Globe Theatre in London. It is also a chance to see the kind of production that would have been presented in Shakespeare’s day, down to the style of the music, dance, costumes, and scenery.

In 2012, Tim Carroll directed Twelfth Night, which was one of London theatre’s biggest hits of summer, completely selling out all of its performances at the Globe. After seeing the filmed version of the production I can absolutely see why. It is magical from beginning to end.

The dream cast is magnificent, and oh what a joy it is to watch them in action. I could hardly stop smiling, and only did so when a moment of pure delight would make me laugh out loud. It is wildly entertaining, sensitive, rich, and achingly honest in its slice of life simplicity. 

Mark Rylance is an inspiration for a generation gliding across the stage as the delicately high-strung Olivia. If the eyes are indeed the windows to the soul then the volumes of unspoken emotion that pour forth from hers would fill the entire ocean from which Viola emerges in an unfamiliar land. It is a profoundly moving performance and one that will stay with you even after the final credits have run their course.

Likewise is every member of the ensemble startlingly present and able to reach into the heart of the text and find the truth. It is a study in effortlessness and if you are an actor, you cannot afford to miss this master class in how beautifully it works when you honor the language. If William Shakespeare were alive to see how his legacy has evolved, methinks he would be proud indeed.

Cast: Samuel Barnett (Sebastian), Liam Brennan (Orsino), Paul Chahidi (Maria), John Paul Connolly (Antonio), Ian Drysdale (Priest/Valentine), Johnny Flynn (Viola), Stephen Fry (Malvolio), James Garnon (Fabian), Peter Hamilton Dyer (Feste), Colin Hurley (Sir Toby Belch), Roger Lloyd Pack (Sir Andrew Aguecheek), Mark Rylance (Olivia), Jethro Skinner (Captain) and Ben Thompson (Curio). Directed: Tim Carroll. Composer: Claire van Kampen. Designer: Jenny Tiramani.

The film is part of a new series called Globe on Screen 2014, which features six of Shakespeare’s plays filmed live at the historic Globe Theatre in London. In addition to Twelfth Night the series will include:

Henry V: September 30th
The Taming of the Shrew: October 14th
The Tempest: October 28th
Macbeth: November 11th
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: December 4th

Ellen Dostal
Shakespeare in LA

TWELFTH NIGHT will play one night only in the following Southern California locations, all on September 22. For more information, visit Globe on Screen.

Laemmle’s Town Center 5
17200 Ventura Blvd #121
Encino, CA 91316

Laemmle Royal
11523 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025

Laemmle NoHo 7
5240 Lankershim Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91601

Laemmle Playhouse 7
673 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91101

And in San Diego on September 16, 2014
Reading Cinemas Town Square 14
4665 Clairemont Drive
San Diego, CA 92117