Twelfth Night
Shakespearean mischief with Twelfth Night play tickets
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s acclaimed staging of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night play brings music, mischief, and mistaken identity to the Barbican Theatre for a strictly limited festive season. Directed by Prasanna Puwanarajah, this “inspired and spellbinding” (The Stage) production of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy stars Freema Agyeman and Timothy West.
A storm leaves noblewoman Viola shipwrecked on the coast of Illyria, believing her twin brother Sebastian to be lost. To survive, she disguises herself as the page Cesario and enters the service of lovesick Duke Orsino. Tasked with wooing the mourning Countess Olivia on Orsino’s behalf, she instead finds herself at the centre of an unexpected love triangle when Olivia falls for Cesario. With identities concealed and hearts entangled, Viola must navigate a world where love, longing, and truth are constantly at odds.
Written around 1601, Shakespeare’s witty, moving and bittersweet Twelfth Night play remains one of his most enduring romantic comedies. This vibrant revival blends the poetry of the original with new songs by acclaimed singer-songwriter Matt Maltese, to create a version that feels both timeless and refreshingly modern.
The London run sees Freema Agyeman star as Olivia, alongside Samuel West as a magnificently pompous Malvolio and Michael Grady-Hall as the sharp-witted Feste, all reprising their celebrated performances from the RSC’s original run. Agyeman is known to millions as Martha Jones in Doctor Who, with further credits in New Amsterdam, Sense8, and The Matrix Resurrections. West is a BAFTA and Olivier Award-nominated actor whose screen work includes Slow Horses, Howards End, and Notting Hill, while Grady-Hall’s credits span stage and screen, including Jack Ryan and The House of Shades.
The creative team features set and costume design by James Cotterill, lighting by Zoe Spurr and Bethany Gupwell, and sound by George Dennis, creating a richly textured Illyria full of romance and intrigue. Playful, heartfelt, and full of music, this Twelfth Night is a joyous theatrical celebration perfect for the festive season.
If music be the food of love, play on… and if tickets for the Twelfth Night play are available, make sure you book them! This brilliant production is at the Barbican for a short time only.
Child friendly?
The Twelfth Night play age rating is to be confirmed.