Twelfth Night is a rich, vivacious production. Australian Shakespeare Company lifts the text from the page and imbues it with slapstick, song, and shoeys. The rain it raineth during this particular performance, but poor weather at times was never going to dampen the reception from an appreciative, poncho’d audience as the story unfolded around them.
Viola (Elizabeth Brennan) and Sebastian (Scott Middleton) are twins, who wash up on shore after a shipwreck, believing each other is dead. Viola disguises herself as a man, gaining employment with Duke Orsino (Hugh Sexton), and soon falls in love with him.
Orsino has been trying to woo the Countess Olivia (Nicole Nabout), so sends Viola in his stead, only for Olivia to fall for Viola. In the meantime, Sir Toby (Jackson McGovern), Sir Andrew (Tony Rive), Maria (Maddie Somers), and Fabian (Henny Walters) attempts to have a drink or two or 793 and a good time are curtailed once again by Olivia’s steward, Malvolio (Peter Houghton), so they plot revenge.
In the meantime, Sebastian arrives in town with his comrade Antonio (Jono Freeman) and as an already awkward scenario becomes calamitous, Feste (Alex Cooper) plays and sings – helping to create something beautiful as the story unfolds.
Forget the ladles, whoever coordinates costumes for ASC deserves cauldrons of praise for their excellent work once again. From Malvolio’s smartly dressed self, his later lunacy, to Toby and Andrew’s dishevelledness and zero hesitation in taking a shot from pair of heels, the costume work was that perfect mix of pragmatic, cohesive and fun.
Shakespeare’s fools are never idiots, and Cooper does splendid work as Feste – part-time jester, full-time troubadour. His wandering into scene may appear innocent and casual, but there’s something wonderfully unsettling about this Irish crooner’s presence. Cooper’s performance on guitar was fabulous throughout, the church revival (you’ll see) and closing number both highlights.
After a glorious turn as Peter Quince in Shakespeare’s Best Bits, Jackson McGovern redefines the definition of a “committed performance” with a magnificent turn as Sir Toby Belch. Playing drunk is something that can go easily trap an actor into something one-note and surly, but Jackson’s vocal delivery and physical storytelling are immaculate. He gives us a man who loves his friends, cares about his niece (Olivia), and is never without a drink in his hands at (almost) all times.
Tony Rive is hilarious in the role of Sir Andrew, who is more than a little awkward at times, but in a cute and charming way. You may question why he becomes a washing machine in a fish tank, but there’s no questioning Tony’s talent in the role.
Maddie Somers gives a brilliant performance as Maria, Olivia’s gentlewoman. Maria is a little bit saucy, and more than a little anarchic, which Maddie brings out in magnificent fashion. Who knew mouthing the same simple word at the start of the show’s second half could elicit such laughs? Masterful.
Of the group, Fabian apparently is the only one with a conscience over Malvolio’s plight, which Henny Walters realised in a delightful performance.
Peter Haughton did lovely work in the role of Malvolio. All of Malvolio’s arrogance, pride, and prudishness are on display, making his “fall” all the more unhinged and comical. even engendering – dare I say? – a little sympathy by the end. Terrific stuff.
After gripping audiences a year ago as Lady Macbeth and Macbeth, Nicole Nabout and Hugh Sexton’s respective performances as Olivia and Orsino may not be as deranged, but are no less entertaining. Orsino’s odd, growing sense of an attraction to Viola was perfectly played by Hugh. Nicole was resplendent as Olivia, until she wasn’t (in the best way) as Olivia’s attraction to Viola causes her to hitch up her dress and begin pursuit.
Elizabeth Brennan and Scott Middleton were stellar in their respective roles as Viola and Sebastian. Elizabeth gave a fantastic portrayal of a person with good intentions slipping down further into an awkward (to her), amusing (to us) situation.
Middleton did fine work in the role of Sebastian, especially in the final moments with the moment seeing his twin sister again being unexpectedly moving. Freeman channelled no small amount of Desperado in a great turn as Antonio, helping untangle some of the confusion at the end.
Director Glenn Elston has done marvellous work again with his cast and crew to give Melbourne a thoroughly entertaining night of theatre under the stars. It runs until the end of the month. Pack a blanket, snacks, maybe a towel, and don’t miss out!
Twelfth Night
Royal Botanic Gardens, Southern Cross Lawn (enter through Observatory Gate on Birdwood Avenue)
Performance: Saturday 31 January 2026
Season continues to 28 February 2026
Information and Bookings: www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au
Images: The Company of Twelfth Night – photo by Ben Fon | Alex Cooper in Twelfth Night – photo by Ben Fon | Maddie Somers, Nicole Nabout and Henny Walters in Twelfth Night – photo by Ben Fon | Nicole Nabout, Scott Middleton and Elizabeth Brennan in Twelfth Night – photo by Ben Fon
Review: June Collins