As the curtain opens and the lights shine on the theater, actors hurry to their opening positions, dressed in typical Shakespearean clothing with stockings and vests. Acting sophomore Connor Davis starts his introductory monologue as Elizabethan music plays in the background.
“Twelfth Night, or What You Will,” the play on which the movie “She’s the Man” was based, began showings on Oct. 24 and continues until Oct. 31. Tickets for the show cost $5 for students and children and $10 for adults, located at the Lab Theatre.
In a time when women could not work, Viola (Keaton Perro) takes her twin brother’s identity when he gets lost after a shipwreck. She then serves Duke Orsino (Davis), sending love messages to Lady Olivia (Belen Tamez) on his behalf. However, Viola falls in love with the Duke along the way.
“It’s a show that lends itself so well to a modern lens,” Davis said. “It has all this ancient text, but if you take away that veneer of it, it’s just a really human play. … All the characters in the play are lonely, or they feel loss or they feel lost in the world. And I think that’s really entrancing.”
Directed by Lucien Douglas, associate professor of acting at the Department of Theatre and Dance, the production emphasizes Shakespeare’s combination of romance and farcical comedy. Davis and acting sophomore Perro said that Douglas is passionate about his work, which shows through in this play.
“He’s older, but he is still so passionate about what he does that it makes me hope that I am as passionate whenever I am his age about acting.” Perro said. “I’m very interested in Shakespeare and American theater, (and) he has an extensive sense of knowledge in that, so we (were) really able to connect in that way.”
Themes such as love and lust between men and women and the uncertainty of gender roles in society resonated with the audience, who cried tears of laughter and sadness.
The acting brought Shakespeare to life with a comedic take on more serious moments. Perro said that her character goes through moments like this, where she fights a master swordsman and almost dies, yet the scene is comical to the audience.
“It is a stronger take on the show and a stronger take on comedy because it’s not like we’re trying to be funny. Because when you try to be funny, you never will be,” Perro said. “Whenever the circumstances are (that) you’re telling the truth in the moment, that is where you get a sense of groundedness, and you are able to be more present with the people around you.”
Shakespeare is widely regarded as one of the greatest playwrights of all time. His most renowned works stand the test of time due to his portrayal of human emotions through text, said actress and theatre and dance sophomore Meera Laskar.
“Shakespeare is just a great writer,” Laskar said. “Shakespeare’s language is so elevated and obviously disconnected from our world and the way we speak now. (But) the way he portrays emotions through his writing is very special in the way that the actors connect with the text and convey those emotions.”
