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Overview

Synopsis

Often lauded as one of the most structurally perfect comedies ever written and beloved by audiences for generations, Twelfth Night; or, What You Will is a masterpiece. Shipwrecked on the shores of the strange land, Illyria, Viola believes herself alone in the world and her twin brother drowned. Disguising herself as a boy to work in the court of Illyria’s Count Orsino, Viola discovers her male disguise has proven all too effective: Orsino sends her as a go-between in his persistent love-suit to the unresponsive Olivia. Even as Viola sues for Olivia’s love on Orsino’s behalf, Viola falls in love with Orsino herself. What ensues is a cross-dressing comedy rife with pain and triumph, humor and madness, transformation and redemption.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
5
First Produced
1602
Genres
Comedy
Settings
Multiple Settings, Period
Time & Place
the imaginary kingdom of illyria, time unknown
Cast Size
large
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, Ensemble Cast, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Viola

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Orsino

Lead

Male

Spoken

Olivia

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Malvolio

Lead

Male

Spoken

Sir Toby Belch

Lead

Male

Spoken

Sebastian

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Antonio

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Feste

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Maria

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Sir Andrew Aguecheek

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Fabian

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Curio

Featured

Male

Spoken

Valentine

Featured

Male

Spoken

Sea Captain

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Priest

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Servant

Featured

Either or Both

Spoken

Sailors

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Officers

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Musicians

Ensemble

Either or Both

Spoken

Attendants

Ensemble

Either or Both

Silent

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher