Twelfth Night Programme_DRAFT

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TWELFTH NIGHT

SYNOPSIS ACT I After a shipwreck, Viola is separated from her twin brother, Sebastian, whom she believes has drowned. Alone in the land of Illyria, Viola disguises herself as a young man, calling herself Cesario, to find work. She enters the service of Duke Orsino, who is hopelessly in love with Countess Olivia. Olivia, however, is mourning her dead brother and refuses all suitors.

ACT II Viola (as Cesario) is sent by Orsino to plead his love to Olivia. Instead, Olivia finds herself falling for Cesario, unaware that Cesario is actually a woman. Meanwhile, Viola secretly falls in love with Orsino. Elsewhere, Sebastian has survived the shipwreck and arrives in Illyria with his friend Antonio, unknown to Viola.

ACT III Olivia openly declares her feelings for Cesario and sends him away with a ring as an excuse to see him again. Viola realises how complicated the situation has become. At Olivia’s house, her uncle Sir Toby Belch, his foolish friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and the clever maid Maria plot a prank against the stern steward Malvolio to punish his self-importance.

ACT IV Malvolio discovers a fake letter (written by Maria) and is tricked into believing Olivia loves him and wants him to behave very oddly. His strange behaviour convinces Olivia that he has lost his mind, and he is locked away. At the same time, Sebastian is mistaken for Cesario and is happily welcomed by Olivia, who quickly proposes marriage.

Sebastian, confused but willing, agrees.

ACT V All misunderstandings come to light when Viola and Sebastian finally appear together.

Orsino realises Viola’s true identity and her love for him, and they agree to marry. Olivia learns she has married Sebastian, not Cesario, and is delighted. Malvolio is released and learns he has been tricked, leaving angrily. The play ends with celebration, forgiveness, and the promise of happiness—though not everyone leaves smiling.

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DIRECTORS NOTE Working on Twelfth Night with our Senior School students has been an absolute joy. This play asks a lot of its cast, quick wit, emotional honesty, and strong ensemble work, and the students have embraced the challenge with energy, generosity, and a wonderful sense of fun. Watching them grow in confidence and collaboration throughout rehearsals has been one of the most rewarding parts of this process.

Our production has been shaped specifically for the Amphitheatre, a space that invites freedom, movement, and a close relationship with the audience. We have leaned into the outdoor setting, allowing the play to breathe in the open air and encouraging a relaxed, communal atmosphere.

In the spirit of Shakespeare’s original performances, we invite you to settle in, enjoy a picnic, and become part of the world of Illyria with us.

Design-wise, Twelfth Night has been reimagined as a modern-ish coastal Australian town, a place of sun, sea breezes, and holiday energy, where romance and chaos feel just one step apart. This setting highlights the play’s themes of identity, longing, and celebration, while keeping the story accessible and playful for a contemporary audience.

Thank you for joining us, sharing the space, and supporting these talented young performers. We hope this production brings you laughter, warmth, and the simple pleasure of live theatre under the sky.

Rachelle Parker Director

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TWELFTH NIGHT

MEET THE CAST

VIOLA Ava Lewis

OLIVIA Sunny Buma

MARIA - OFFICER 1 Eva Richardson

MARIA - OFFICER 2 Audrey Hubbard

CURIO - MARIA Bella Gares

SIR TOBY BELCH Kayden Bartley

MALVOLIO Matilda Hennessey

FESTE (THE FOOL) Harry Andrews

ANTONIO Indigo Brown

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STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS Going to theatre performances inspired me to get involved in productions and develop a wide range of skills, both onstage and behind the scenes—like costumes, lighting, sound, and stage management. I’d love the chance to be part of a large professional show, with impressive sets and a full audience.

CAPTAIN Alivia Edwards

It would be an amazing opportunity to build my technical skills (like running the soundboard and helping with set changes) while also continuing to grow as a performer. Playing Captain has been a challenge too, because Shakespearean English requires extra care with pronunciation and memorisation—but it’s been a really rewarding experience.

My name is Blake, and I got into drama because I like to entertain and make people laugh. I’m interested in creating movies, and drama has helped me direct my actors in a way that has made my work much better than it would have been before.

SEBASTIAN Blake Vos

I’m so grateful for drama, as it gives you opportunities to see what staged performances are like and how much effort goes into them. I would love to continue learning more throughout school and into the future.

The character Sebastian in Twelfth Night is challenging for me, as he is one of the only characters who acts seriously in this comedic play, and he has a few monologues that are difficult to memorise. However, I hope you enjoy my portrayal of the character.

My favourite thing about performing is the feeling after you’ve finished. It’s an amazing experience, especially when performing in front of a crowd. It feels like your nerves are released, and it’s the greatest feeling when the audience is cheering and everyone is celebrating together.

I can’t wait for you all to watch this amazing play.

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TWELFTH NIGHT

STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS I have always known that I loved acting since I was a little girl, in drama lessons at my school. This school has given me so many amazing opportunities to explore my talents in drama, and this production has helped me grow so much in my understanding and skills in acting. I enjoy singing, acting, and dancing, basically anything that involves being on the stage! In the future I am hoping to keep exploring my love for performing arts and my dream is to become a full-time musical theatre performer.

SIR ANDREW AGUECHEEK Arwen Meyerink

Hello, my name is Imaan Nazir, and I am part of the Year 11 General Drama class. I am also starring in our upcoming production of Twelfth Night. I would like to share why I chose to join this play.

PRIEST Imaan Nazir

Believe it or not, I truly enjoy acting, it gives me a sense of freedom, allowing me to become anyone I want. Through drama, I feel able to access a wide range of emotions, as you spend so much time understanding, feeling, and fully living your role.

One of the most rewarding aspects of drama is the strong sense of connection I feel with the cast. Unlike any other team I’ve been part of, drama creates a unique bond where everyone works closely together. It fosters a feeling that every single person is essential. There are no “bench players,” because a performance relies on the contribution of every cast member to succeed.

Overall, I would highly recommend drama to anyone who is interested. It’s not just about moving across a stage, it’s about truly connecting with it, feeling it, and bringing it to life

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STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS I’ve always loved the arts since I was little, so being a part of this amazing play has been nothing but absolutely fantastic. This entire crew is so talented and delightful. I have recently found love and appreciation for Shakespeare, so playing the part of Duke Orsino has been such a huge honour. This character has challenged my style of acting, pushed my limits, and has helped me grow as not only an actor, but as a person.

DUKE ORSINO Izzy Gath

As I develop and grow, I am aiming to be a vocalist and professional dancer across the world, but acting will always be in my heart and will likely arise through my career.

I have loved working with this cast and crew and hope for nothing but the best for them in their future endeavors.

SPECIAL THANKS Special thanks to Annabel Van De Sand for her invaluable support and expertise in managing the sound for our Twelfth Night production.

Her professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence greatly enhanced the overall quality of the performance, ensuring that every moment was delivered with clarity and impact.

PRODUCTION SUPPORT Annabel Van De Sand

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Annabel’s dedication behind the scenes played a vital role in bringing this production to life, and we are sincerely grateful for her generous contribution and support.

TWELFTH NIGHT

THE REHEARSALS

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