Twelfth Night

First included in the First Folio in 1623, this is a 400th anniversary production of Shakespeare's wonderful comedy of mistaken identities and unrequited love. And it also contributes to the marking of the centenary of BBC Radio Drama as in 1923, 300 years after the First Folio, Twelfth Night became the first full-length Shakespeare play to be broadcast on BBC radio.

When twins Viola and Sebastian are shipwrecked on the coast of Illyria, both believing each other to have drowned, they both go in search of sanctuary. Viola disguises herself as a man and finds refuge in the court of Duke Orsino. Orsino is in love with the widow Olivia but Olivia quickly falls in love with Orsino's messenger, Viola.

Along with the drunken antics of Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek (also in love with Olivia), the sanctimonious pomposity of Olivia's main courtier Malvolio, the clever scheming of Maria the maid and the frantic gambolling of Feste the Fool, the inevitable result is merry chaos. But will love conquer all?