Twelfth Night

Last week, I saw Twelfth Night at Shakespeare's Globe. Which confused me for about five minutes just now as I struggled to find any mention of the performance online, and only managed to come up with links to the 2012 all-male production that has since transferred to Broadway.

But I digress.

Photo credit: Sarita le Roux

The performance I saw was specifically designed for secondary school students and as the audience shuffled into the open space all decked out in their uniforms, that was easy enough to tell. Given that the only Shakespearean plays I had read were mandatory by my English Literature classes throughout my time at school (Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Othello, The Tempest - Hamlet should be included, but I watched The Lion King instead and insisted that was good enough), what I knew about Twelfth Night came from the 2006 Amanda Bynes film She's the Man.

I know, I know.

The play began and I became engrossed in the slippery trickery of the characters, mesmerised by the performance. The year 7s next to me complained that their feet hurt and they couldn't see but I paid them little attention, my heart caught up in the plight of the characters. It might have had something to do with the fact there was more diversity than the average American tv drama - I'm talking two whole black actors - or the fact that I didn't have to content with the year 10 class at school, but whatever the reason, I found myself clapping until my hands bled at the end of the play.

I mean, who wouldn't enjoy a play with brilliant actors, gay subtext, tearaway trousers and two uptight gentlemen doing the nae nae?

Seriously, that last one really did happen. And even if you're not affiliated with a school, there's a chance you can see it too! The 19th of this month is the last day that anyone can see the performance (the website specifically says families though). You can find the information here.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to plan a story based on Twelfth Night, involving teenagers and the apocalypse. Hey, if the Globe can have the nae nae then why can't I get creative with the original, too?