Running March 13-22, the final mainstage production of Phoenix’s 24/25 season is Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Shipwrecked and separated from her twin brother Sebastian, Viola disguises herself as a young man to serve Duke Orsino. What follows is a whirlwind of romantic entanglements, mischievous pranks, mistaken identity and hilarious misunderstandings.
Director and Theatre professor Fran Gebhard reimagines this classic comedy in a post-climate change future inspired by BC’s rugged coastline. Expect a mix of mistaken identities, love triangles and the delightful chaos of reality and illusion.
“I set this play in late summer 2037 on Vancouver Island’s West Coast, where climate-related catastrophes—wildfires, extreme rainfall, hurricanes, flooding and earthquakes—have impact the region,” explains Gebhard. “Olivia’s father and brother have perished in these disasters, and the character we meet are rebuilding their lives in Illyria, where their summer homes once stood.”
Samantha Frew (photo: Dean Kalyan)
And, in fact, this production has a unique twist—our real-life identical twins, Makayla and Mariah Madill (above) take the stage as twins Viola and Sebastian. Audiences will have fun trying to tell these fourth-year acting students apart! Makayla and Mariah are so alike that their teachers even ask them to wear different hairstyles to class. Subtle differences include one being slightly taller and the other having a small eyebrow scar. Let’s see if you can spot who’s who, especially when Viola is disguised as a boy! Don’t miss this playful and inventive take on one of Shakespeare’s best-loved comedies.
“I am so grateful to have worked with such an inventive and adaptable cast and crew of students and staff,” says Gebhard. “Our talented students have designed an engaging environment, striking costumes, evocative lighting and sound. We even have a student musician who composed some of their own music . . . . We have had such fun realizing our production of Shakespeare’s timeless play! My only hope is that the audience’s enjoyment exceeds our own!”