This week, University theatre professor George Judy will show Louisiana that Shakespeare is alive and well with his production of “Twelfth Night.”
The play first ran this summer and was well-received by audiences at the University. Now Judy wants to bring the play to a wider audience.
“We kept the cost of production and ticket prices low to show the play to people who might not ordinarily get a chance to see it,” Judy said.
The play is billed as the greatest romantic comedy of all time. It begins with twins Viola and Sebastian traveling at sea. Viola washes onto shore after a shipwreck and believes Sebastian to be dead. She pretends to be a man so she can work for a duke who’s in love with a girl named Olivia. Viola tries to convince Olivia to fall for the duke, but Olivia falls in love with her instead. Soon we learn that Sebastian survived the wreck. Olivia mistakes him for Viola when she sees him, and chaos ensues.
The play takes place at the end of Carnival season – or, as it’s known in Louisiana, Mardi Gras. Judy paid special attention to the festive spirit associated with the holiday to add local flare to his production.
When Judy adapted the play, he said his main goal was to make it accessible to a contemporary audience. To this end, he emphasized the action and whimsy of the play and cut its length from 150 to 90 minutes.
“We accentuated the sword fighting and the slapstick fun, and we think the fast-paced version of the play will definitely speak to the audience we’re trying to reach,” Judy said.
Judy said the play had an engaging message and asserted the comedy would improve its delivery.
“‘Twelfth Night’ is about losing ourselves and the comedy and joy we feel when we resolve those conflicts,” Judy said. “Our play will be very fast and fun, but it will still capture the amazing poetry and romance of Shakespeare.”
“Twelfth Night” will be Swine Palace’s first show of the season, and according to Judy, its return will be part of a larger effort to keep the presence of the palace alive year round. University students can see the play at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday or Sunday for $11 at the Reilly Theatre. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling Swine Palace at 225-578-3527.
“Our play will be very fast and fun, but it will still capture the amazing poetry and romance of Shakespeare.”