Truncated Twelfth Night at the Tabard Worth the Trip
Susan Stanley-Carroll enjoys the production despite the missing bits
The cast made the most of their shortened roles. Picture: Simon Annand
October 5, 2025
“Twelfth Night”, presented by the Chronicle Theatre Company is now playing at the Tabard Theatre until 18 October. William Shakespeare’s script has been much edited but the cast, on the whole, do justice to the ebb and flow of the natural rhythms of Shakespeare’s blank verse. Yes, a ‘lean” production, and possibly too lean, but the shorter version without interval allows the audience to be ‘in and out’ in approximately 70 minutes.
The well-known plot concerns the outcome of a devastating shipwreck on the identical twins, Viola and Sebastian, who were passengers on the sailing ship. They were swept apart in the vicious storm. Viola is cast up on the shores of the island Illyria and assumes her brother has been drowned. She disguises herself as a young man and gains employment as a page boy at the court of the Duke Orsino.
Orsino is passionately in love with the Lady Olivia and is sure that Cesario can persuade Olivia to marry him. Does Viola succeed? Not in the way the Duke expected as Olivia falls for Cesario and Cesario/Viola falls for The Duke. Oh dear! What an emotional muddle.
However, Sebastian, turns up safe and well (except its Martha Ibbotson) playing both Viola and Sebastian.
I was miffed that one actor played both of the twins. As I was looking forward to Shakespeare’s brilliant final denouement.
Yes, both couples did marry but…. off stage…and the siblings’ reunion was cut from the script.
A marmite production but very easy on the eye and on the ear!
Sir Toby Belch, Sir Andrew Aguecheek and Maria, hangers on or servants of Lady Olivia, made the most of their truncated roles. Malvolio, ditched his cross garters, no spoiler here, his performance and his second costume were amusing.
Eliza Horn’s powerful, incandescent performance, as the Lady Olivia, cast a glow within the studio theatre. Her, seemingly, designer clothes added lustre to the minimalist appealing set that was enhanced by excellent lighting.
Martha Ibbotson and Jonny Wiles. Picture:
Simon Annand
Martha Ibbotson nailed the character of Viola with her transparent integrity but it was too big an ask for her to play a convincing Sebastian. Also for me, it did not work as the idea went against the very essence of the original text.
Not at all sure about the exits and entrances of the characters as they were too repetitious: like jumping down the same right or left rabbit hole and that jarred on one’s suspension of disbelief.
It’s a no brainer to go and watch this 70 minute production of, “Twelfth Night” , directed by Bill Alexander, and performed virtually on your doorstep and then scoot into the Tabard pub for a pint to chew over the role of a missing actor.
Susan Stanley-Carroll
Tickets - 25 September to 11 October: £23.50 General Admissions /£19.50 concessions. 13-18 October: £25.50 General Admissions /£21.50 concessions.
Running Time 1 Hour 10 Minutes, no interval
Click here to book tickets or call 020 8995 6035
Theatre at the Tabard is at 2 Bath Road, Chiswick (W4 1LW).
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