New Hampton students are busy finalizing their lines, refining costumes, and rehearsing scenes for the winter play, “Twelfth Night or What you Will” by William Shakespeare. The play was chosen in part for it’s timeliness and humor. When written by Shakespeare in 1602, according to Director Meredith Brown, it was meant to close out the celebration of the Christmas season and bring humor and lightheartedness to the gray and somber winter season. Below is a sneak peek at the performance we are all looking forward to. Don’t miss the opportunity to join us for one of two public performances on February 23 or 24.
About the Play
According to Director Meredith Brown, “Twelfth Night” is generally accepted as one of Shakespeare’s most fun plays. The performance features overly emotional characters, outrageous acts of love, and overall absurdities. It is about a shipwreck, loss, love, woe and cross-dressing all of which leads to mistaken identity and confusion. The simplicity yet complexity of the storyline lends itself to easily to humor and amusement that transcends social class, intelligence and even time.
Highlights
Highlights of the show, recognized by Brown, include “a really good party and some of the best lines that Shakespeare has ever written.” She also acknowledges, “there are a number of very strong female roles, which are rarely seen in Shakespeare.” The New Hampton production embraces these follies and ramps up the fun with a catchy soundtrack, lip syncing and colorful concept design.
Student Actors and Actresses
The production features local day students and boarding students from across the country and globe. International actors include Vanina Sezalory from and Gwendolyn Liu from Guangzhou, China. Local students include Olivia Maclean of Tilton in the role of Viola, Todd Hamlet of Campton as her brother Sebastian, Mairead Ryan of Ashland as Antonia and Kacenka Farr-Williams of New Hampton as Julia. Alongside Director Meredith C. Brown, lighting is directed by Thom Beaulieu.
The play will open on February 23rd at 6pm with a second performance on February 24th at 7pm. Both performances are free and open to the public.
