To order tickets please call the theatre box office on 020 8770 6990
Shakespeare deploys mistaken identity in several of his plays, but never to better effect than in Twelfth Night. On this is piled gender confusion, as Viola disguises herself as a youth to serve a Duke, Orsino, only to find a Countess she is charged to woo on his behalf regarding her with increasing affection!
This subtle plot is underpinned by a more raucous subplot in which a pair of libertine Lords connive with a maid to deceive the Countess’s self-regarding Steward that her attentions are fixed upon him. As mayhem and confusion ensue Shakespeare deftly weds these complex threads together. There is much use of music, love in its many forms is explored, and the action moves rapidly forward to a happy conclusion, in which all becomes clear.
Twelfth Night successfully combines low comedy delivered by well known and much loved characters, and wonderful lyrical verse. Its capacity to entertain and give pleasure to audiences is undimmed since its first performance, and makes it a perennial favourite with audiences throughout the world.
Rehearsals for this November production have settled down well and I am enjoying directing such a talented cast, in fact in many cases I am running to keep up with them! Even before rehearsals began an impressive number of lines have been got under the belt which has made blocking the play all the easier.
We are now in our new rehearsal home, the Church Hall at the rear of St. Mary’s Church, Wallington. For those still to visit, or intending to look in on a rehearsal, the Hall is reached by following the path through the graveyard to an entrance behind the Church on the right hand side.
Tickets for Twelfth Night are already beginning to sell, and we are hoping for bumper audiences, swollen by those studying the text at school or college. Do secure your tickets early, and come along to a production which has both delicious comedy, and some of Shakespeare’s most wonderfully sensitive lines on the subject of music, love and human relationships.
Rob Clark
director [at] sadc [dot] co [dot] uk
| Orsino, Duke of Illyria | Charles Miller |
| Valentine, Gentleman attending on Orsino | Dick Bower |
| Curio, Gentleman attending on Orsino | Norbert Johnson |
| Lady attending on Orsino | Tricia Foley |
| First officer | Dick Bower |
| Viola, a shipwrecked lady | Natalie Bennett |
| Sebastian, her twin brother | Stephen Bailey |
| Captain of the wrecked ship | David Thompson |
| Antonio, a Captain and friend to Sebastian | Geoff Alldis |
| Olivia, a Countess | Helen Teasdale |
| Maria, Olivia’s waiting gentlewoman | Jo Lumsden |
| Lady attending on Olivia | Gerry Willis |
| Sir Toby Belch, Olivia’s Uncle | Will Harris |
| Sir Andrew Aguecheek, suitor to Olivia | David Page |
| Malvolio, Olivia’s Steward | John Shepherd |
| Feste, Olivia’s Jester | Grant Shalks |
| Fabian, a Member of Olivia’s Household | David Thompson |
| A Priest | Norbert Johnson |
Sutton Amateur Dramatic Club is a registered charity, number 259484 and a Member of the Arts Council of The London Borough of Sutton