.png)
REVIEW | Twelfth Night, Sheffield Crucible
AD | Tickets gifted in exchange of an honest review. All views are our own
Next up in the 2026/27 Sheffield Theatres season is another round of Shakespeare, this time it's the chucklesome comedy Twelfth Night, which forms the second Shakespearian play of the theatrical complexes double bill this season. The first was King Lear which starred Ian McDiarmid as the titular role.
For Twelfth Night, Sheffield welcomes Mathew Horne, best known as one half of the title roles in the hit BBC show Gavin and Stacy, who joins the Shakespearian company (who also played in King Lear) as Malvolio.
Twelfth Night, is one of Shakespeare's long list of comedies, it follows characters Viola and Sebastian who are split apart during a shipwreck, and after being split mistaken identities form, confusion grows, and romance appears around the pair when they are mistaken by Olivia and other characters. Alongside this, havoc commences as a plan to trick steward Malvolio that love also surrounds him, turning the whole place upside down.
This is only my second time seeing Shakespeare after seeing King Lear in October where I broke the long awaited first Shakespearian outing after many, many years to be ticked off on the theatre bucket list, I'm back but...I'm far from an expert in this type of theatre. I do see why it is so appreciated for many as the language is renowned to be timeless, and it's great to be able see two types of Shakespeare in a short period of time.
Of course, it's written by William Shakespeare, this production is directed by Jamie Glover, movement by Charlotte Broom and has compositions and musical direction by Genevieve Dawson. Twelfth Night positions itself in the realms of what would say is a hybrid play with music colliding folk style interludes with a comedy romance.
Directed by Jamie Glover, Glover's work is far out from King Lear's small compact direction. Glover uses the whole thrust stage in the Crucible, while still somewhat grounded, the work here allows the tone of the show to be presented well. Glover's work is light-hearted and spirited, feeling freer, spacious and easy to watch. Glover's best work here is at the very beginning throwing the audience in to what is an inventive and creative dramatic few minutes movement sequence by movement director Charlotte Broom at the top of the show, with just ladders representing a ship, delivering a dramatic and a picturesque recreation of a shipwreck.
I said earlier that the show feels like a hybrid play with music, the show uses three actor-musician's to play out the various folk type musical segments, though I felt to some degree they were a little overlooked and personally feel that the performers could have been positioned into a bigger part of the show even if this was sat on the stone benches watching the action rather than appearing momentarily for a few short stints. Glover's direction is frequently entertaining, with some comical slapstick points where the audience certainly enjoyed which is sustained within both of the acts. Though the pacing felt liked it dipped at times and feels almost touching tiresome before swinging back to be something engaging. Though overall Glover's work has its moments of brilliance and are respected, showing excellent connection and comedy between James Chetwood (playing Sir Andrew Aguecheek), Milo Twomey (play Sir Toby Belch), Jay Saighal (playing Fabian) and the moments with David Birrell (Playing Feste), additionally displaying Justina Kehinde's (who plays Olivia) confusion and falling in love well, but most of all a hilarious sequence with Mathew Horne who parades around the stage in yellow stockings...
Written by non-other than William Shakespeare, reinforcing what I said in my last review (King Lear) Shakespeare is heavy, wordy and easy to fumble on and is no easy feat to get right - so hats off to those who do and are veterans to the theatrical form. King Lear is a dark, cynical and a gritty piece, whereas, Twelfth Night comes forward as a light-hearted, brighter, witty piece and is slightly easier to get to grips with. At first, there's a slight struggle feeling hazy to understand, though progressively becomes more clearer. Shakespeare delivers a sharp, witty and playful comedy which is comical, but also slightly edges over to a slight crudeness level but is full of puns and playful wordplay. There's a few moments of direct audience address which is nice, though slightly feels it could break the pacing of the show. Within Twelfth Night, there's unexpected moments musicality that are dotted here and there, the short and sweet composures are folk-esque sounding - and while I didn't see the show, the musical moments sound something from the award-winning musical, Curious Case of Benjaman Button style to them, which was enjoyable even though they did come as a surprise and excellently musically directed and composed by Genevieve Dawson.
Shakespeare's work here flows at times keeping a nice rhythm, this work is more jolly and sustains that throughout even if at times the direction is presented to be a little bit more darker, and while yes the show is slow paced at times becoming a little struggle (though expected) it feels more easier going Shakespeare than other Shakespeare shows. Unfortunately at times both plots didn't give an even balance for me as well feeling weaker and puzzling at times. But with that being said, with offbeat characters, melodramatic scenes as well as characters and various themes of love, family and friendship woven through it holds the majority of the audience apart from those who looked at their programmes as I briefly glanced around and overall, unexpectedly results into being something heart-warming
Leading the cast Mathew Horne joins the Shakespearian company who also played in King Lear, as Steward - Malvolio. It's always an honour to see someone widely known across TV and the stage perform, these moments are very much are pinch me moments or become somewhat starstruck - this is no different.
Horne, is no stranger to Shakespeare and is a comedy genius, resulting in belly laughs from physical and scripted comedy, though for me surprisingly Horne's character is to me slightly different to the screen roles, with being far more upright, prim and proper, though takes on this role superbly. Horne agreeably pleases with a posh accent and freely moves around the stage and uses great facial expressions and delivers numerous witty moments throughout, Horne's experience with Shakespeare is evident in which produces a product of a terrific performance.
David Birrell, plays the role of Feste, Birrell's vocals are splendid, drawing a unique level of theatricalness to Shakespeare, Birrell's performance is admired and really holds the audience throughout and delivers a standout performance.
Justina Kehinde, delivers an over the top melodramatic performance for the role of Olivia, while though being dramatic, Kehinde still grounds in the performance. Kehinde delivers a good connection between Viola (played by Bebe Saunders) who both deliver some of the engaging moments within the show.
While also James Chetwood gets a notable mention on performing what I would describe as a Jester-full performance.
Amanda Stoodley's set and costume design is paired back, Stoodley's set consists of a large hanging circle acting as the sun and moon at the back of stage which glows in white, and a golden orange colour, while also moveable see through cloths of dark blue/black that helps the transitions from various locations. The Crucible thrust is painted as a cobbled town, with three stone benches, the use of the moving revolve is minimal and could have been used more in my opinion. It is certainly not the most extravagant set design seen on the Crucible stage, but undoubtedly not what I over heard prior to the show on which was the phrase "cost cutting" more and along the lines of...less is more.
Overall, Twelfth Night at the Crucible Theatre is amusing Shakespeare. Now I have seen both a Shakespearian tragedy and comedy is Shakespeare for me or not for me? that is the question...I'm sorry couldn't help myself. Well, the short answer is no I'm not 100% fully sold but that does not mean to say I wouldn't completely rule out seeing more of William Shakespeare's work. It's opened my eyes to experiencing an unfamiliar type of theatre, maybe I've not found the right one? Twelfth Night is a chuckling comedy with likeable performances.
★★★.5
Twelfth Night, plays at the Sheffield Crucible until Saturday 31st of October:
