Theatre Department News

Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night (or What You Will) at the Wells Theater April 24-27

When going out to see a Shakespeare play, many expect to see elaborate wigs and wardrobes, not clocks and gears. Monmouth College Theatre Department presents “Twelfth Night (or What You Will)” with a retro-futuristic spin on a Shakespeare classic by presenting the show in a steampunk fashion. Directed and adapted by Dr. Emily Rollie, ‘Twelfth Night’ will take place April 24-27 and be held in Monmouth College’s Wells Theater.

‘Twelfth Night’ tells the classic tale of Viola who, after being shipwrecked and separated from her twin brother, decides to disguise herself as a man and calls herself Cesario. Viola then becomes a servant for the Duke Orsino of Illyria who is love-struck over the neighboring countess, Olivia. A love triangle soon forms as Viola (Cesario) falls in love with Orsino and Olivia falls in love with Cesario. To make matters worse, Viola’s lost twin, Sebastian, arrives on the scene. In the midst of the love triangle, Olivia’s uncle, Sir Toby, and friends are causing a little havoc of their own.

Steampunk offers a new element to classic Shakespeare, letting the edgy bits of the story to emerge. Steampunk is described as a mix between classic Victorian and futuristic elements with a very rustic feel to them such as clocks, gears, and futuristic gadgets all having steam power elements. Director Emily Rollie offers her insight on why she chose steampunk: “Steampunk offers a whole new element to this play and accompanies our story extremely well. While ‘Twelfth Night’ is a comedy, it isn’t all just fun, there are darker elements to the script as well. Steampunk is fun, funky, and imaginative, but there is also a darker, more worn side of it as well.” Much like a steam engine, the plot of ‘Twelfth Night’ keeps rolling until Viola gets in a bit over her head.

Dr. Emily Rollie is a first year professor at Monmouth College and is excited to present her first show at the college: her favorite Shakespeare comedy. “I am so very excited to embark with this group of students. They are all a very diverse and hard working group with old and new students, majors and minors, or students who just love to be involved in the theatre. Each actor or actress gives a completely new and unique perspective to the show.”

Performances of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night (or What You Will)” in steampunk style are April 24, 25, and 26 at 7:30pm; and April 27 at 2:00pm. Tickets are $4 with an MC ID, $5 for other students and senior citizens, and $6 for adults. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.worldforms.net/TOL/wellstheater.

Please join us after the shows for talk-backs where the audience can ask the designers, cast, scholar, and director any question they may have about the show! Talk-backs begin on Thursday the 24^th with our opening night reception. After Friday’s performance, the cast and designers of the show will answer any questions the audience may have about the performance. Finally, after Saturday’s performance concludes, director Dr. Emily Rollie and Monmouth College’s very own Shakespeare scholar, Dr. Belschner, will join us by giving their input about the show followed by the KCACTF respondent’s response.

This Shakespearean comedy is a story of jealousy, mistaken identity, and cross-dressing with hilarious fights and duals with a steampunk flare.