She's the Man!

She's the Man (2006) starred Amanda Bynes and was a romantic teen comedy based on Shakespeare's The Twelfth Night. The movie gives the classic Shakespeare plot line a modern twist to entertain young audiences. While there is no shipwreck and social class is examined within high school, there are still many common ties between the classic play and this new interpretation. Duke, Olivia, Viola, and Sebastian serve as names for the four protagonists, but Malvolio was developed into Malcolm. The subplot from the script is not represented in the movie. Below is a trailer for the movie.

"YouTube - She's The Man Trailer." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 10 Mar. 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watchv=D4OhwrMidSU&feature=player_embedded>.

Lighting

Lighting for The Twelfth Night has to cover a range of time and emotion. Romance is a central theme. Colors, such as red and pink, can bring warm to flirtatious moments. Lighting for this show also needs to consistently follow the timeline and make it clear to the audience. The plot is spread out between day and night scenes. Along with using warm colors to represent romance, the night sky can also represent this romance. Especially if highlighted with stars and moonlight.

Sets

Illyria is depicted as the setting for this play due to its beauty and romance. Previously located on the Adriatic Sea, Illyria has been hinted to be influenced by piracy. Viola is washed up in a ship wreck on the shores of Illyria. It is important when designing the set for this show to keep the beaches assimilated into the set, as well as represent romance through the use of color and shape. 

Because the plot of this show does not jump dramatically to distant locations, a base stage can be set to represent Illyria. Again, it could be a design choice to set this show in numerous locations. Below is a picture of a set used for this show. The columns give a sense of the elegance of the Duke's home, while the levels give the actors the ability to distinguish class.

Costumes

Classic productions of The Twelfth Night illustrate characters in Elizabethan fashion. Below are examples of male and female Elizabethan fashion.

Elizabethan Females

Elizabethan Male

It is important that social class must be represented by the costumes. There must be a distinction between the power held by Olivia and Orsino, the aristocrats, and the servant level of Viola and the others. The beauty of Shakespeare is that it can be set in many different time periods and places, affecting costuming. Below is a photo of "12th Night: The 1960's San Francisco Psychedlic Musical".

Feast of Epiphany

Why "The Twelfth Night"? What inspired this title? Shakespeare wrote this play for the end of the Christmas season, for a holiday called the Feast of Epiphany or the Twelfth Night. It is celebrated the eve before the twelfth day after Christmas (January 5th). It is also sometimes celebrated on January 6th.  As the last day of the Christmas season, it is celebrated as a day of festivities and fun.

"Twelfth Night" The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. Ed. E. A. Livingstone. Oxford University

     Press, 2006. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Central Washington University.

         10 March 2011 <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t95.e5905>

"Twelfth Night"  The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. Ed. John Bowker. Oxford University Press,

     2000. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press.  Central Washington University.  10 March 2011 

         <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t101.e7578>

Illyria

The video above gives a brief history of Illyria, where Shakespeare set The Twelfth Night. Illyria is an ancient civilization that was located along the Adriatic Sea. It was conquered by the Romans in 168 B.C. Eventually, it was divided into Pannonia and Dalmatia.

Illyria

"Illyria"  World Encyclopedia. Philip's, 2008. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press.  Central 
     Washington University.  10 March 2011  <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html
          subview=Main&entry=t142.e5681>


"YouTube - WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ILLYRIANS????" YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.Web. 10 Mar. 2011.

      <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcXbRwHENw8>.

Sexuality and Relationships

Rethinking Sexuality and Class in "Twelfth Night." written by Nancy Lindheim for University of Toronto Quarterly, discusses sexuality and romantic relationships. Although there are references to homosexuality in The Twelfth Night, it is disputed that the current world affairs surrounding GLBT rights overly influence analysis of this play. Malvolio is often portrayed as flamboyant. His quick response to dress in womens clothing influences that characterization. The relationship between Viola and "Cesario" becomes complicated when Olivia develops romantic feelings. Viola pities Olivia, because she knows the truth behind her identity.

Malvolio awaits Olivia

The Renaissance theory tells us that the bond of friendship between males were superior to male-female relationships. This would mean that Orsino, thinking Viola was actually a man, would develop a deeper bond with her than any other male would have with a female at this time. His acceptance of Viola's real identity is based on an emotional connection. Olivia quickly falls for Sebastian due to his youthful good looks and a way with words. Sebastian's only reason to love Olivia is for her beauty and wealth. The relationship between these two is based on visual attraction.

Lindheim, Nancy. "Rethinking Sexuality and Class in "Twelfth Night.." University of Toronto 
     Quarterly 76.2 (2007): 679-713. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 10 Mar. 2011.