Shakespeare Under the Stars: A night of midsummer madness, laughter, love and lyrical mayhem. Melbourne’s summer nights will come alive with one Shakespeare’s most beloved and mischievous comedies, Twelfth Night.
Set against the moonlit backdrop of the Royal Botanic Gardens, the story spins a whirlwind of tangled loves, mistaken identities, and outrageous characters – all seemingly determined to turn everything completely on its head.
When Viola washes up after a shipwreck, she’s sure her twin brother Sebastian has gone down with the ship. Stranded in a strange new land, she disguises herself as a young man named Cesario and takes a job with Duke Orsino.
But in a twist of fate, Viola finds herself falling head over heels for the Duke. Meanwhile, Orsino is hopelessly smitten with the beautiful Olivia – who has sworn off love… until she meets Cesario. Suddenly, everyone is falling for the wrong person and chaos, comedy, and Cupid collide in a whirlwind of mistaken identities and romantic mayhem.
Directed by Glenn Elston OAM, this riotous new production is features Peter Houghton as Malvolio, Alex Cooper as Orsino, Henny Walters as Viola, Scott Middleton as Sebastian, Elizabeth Brennan as Olivia, Nichole Nabout as Maria, Jackson McGovern as Sir Toby Belch, Hugh Sexton as Feste, Tony Rive as Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Maddy Somers as Fabian, and Jono Freeman as Antonio the pirate.
“Twelfth Night is pure theatrical joy. Every prank, mistaken identity, and love-struck mix-up promises to keep the story delightfully off-balance and utterly hilarious,” said Australian Shakespeare Company Artistic Director Glenn Elston OAM.
“It’s the kind of theatre that surprises at every turn and reminds us why Shakespeare is endlessly entertaining and completely unpredictable.”
Twelfth Night continues the company’s much-loved tradition of Shakespeare Under the Stars – a night where families, friends, and first- me theatregoers can enjoy the timeless wit, romance, and mischief of Shakespeare in one of Melbourne’s most beautiful outdoor spaces.
Twelfth Night
Royal Botanic Gardens, Southern Cross Lawn (enter through Observatory Gate on Birdwood Avenue)
Season continues to 28 February 2026
Information and Bookings: www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au
Image: Australian Shakespeare Company presents Twelfth Night (supplied)