As the sun sets, the smoke clears and the Melbourne evening blesses us with a gentle summer shower, there is an excited crowd that has gathered together for some incredibly entertaining ‘improbable fiction’ at the Royal Botanical Gardens. William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy Twelfth Night has sprung up on the Southern Cross Lawn, and it contains all the usual suspects that create a masterful plotline – including mistaken identity, a love triangle, disguises, roll reversals and hilarious water play (more on that later!)
If there’s one thing that speaks of holidays in this town, it’s knowing that you have spent an evening under the stars, sharing a sparkling beverage, nibbling on a cheese platter and clapping, laughing and cheering with the Australian Shakespeare Company. There’s never an empty glass or a hand without food as the kiosk has you covered, and so too the friendly staff who even shielded us from the rain this opening night.
Like a muddled puzzle that needs care, twisted pieces, timing, perhaps a little super glue and definitely a hair dryer, Twelfth Night is a jumbled mismatch of concurrently running events. It is set on the twelfth night of Christmas, where traditionally on this final day of celebrations, a festive topsy turvy spirit takes over. This means that often in a household, for example, servants would assume the role of their masters or men would behave like women. 
The story starts where we discover that twins Viola (Elizabeth Brennan) and Sebastian (Scott Middleton) have been shipwrecked, and both believe the other has drowned. To survive, Viola decides to disguise herself as a man named Cesario in order to work for Duke Orsino (Hugh Sexton) who is in love with Lady Olivia (Nicole Nabout). Orsino sends Cesario to court Olivia on his behalf, but instead she falls in love with Cesario – not realising that he is actually a she, who is Viola! Viola however, has secretly fallen in love with Orsino and shares moments with him where he questions his affections too.
Whilst this takes place, Olivia’s uncle Sir Toby Belch (Jackson McGovern) and friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Tony Rive), have partnered up with her maid Maria (Maddie Somers) and servant Fabian (Henny Walters) in order to play a prank on her self-important and judgemental steward Malvolio (Peter Houghton) who is always criticising them. They make him believe that Olivia is in love with him, which causes much chaos and confusion within the household.
Pulled to safety from the sea by sea captain Antonio (Jono Freeman), Sebastian enters the town being mistaken for Cesario and the mayhem intensifies! Once all is revealed, misunderstandings are resolved and the play ends with lessons learnt, multiple marriages and much joy and happiness.
To stage this complicated story, the set is used with varying entry points, paths through the audience, stairs and a balcony that adds dimension to the space. The cleverly designed pieces also allow the players to access many different levels, jumping up, popping out of, balancing and even swimming in them! The physical comedy adds to the entertainment of Twelfth Night with the use of doors opening and closing reminiscent of the jokes told at the locker bays in the famous 1980’s sketch comedy TV hit “You Can’t Do That on Television”.
It is very evident in this production that the entire creative troupe are completely committed to telling this story with grand lustre. Every moment is like a well played game of chess, with the characters coming to life in fun, frivolity and flips!
Jackson McGovern as Sir Toby Belch is a stand out on stage, the perfect embodiment of comedy. Maddie Somers entrances with humour in every gesture and facial expression. Henny Walters is all heart in her presentation and she gifts entertainment to the audience, alongside of Alex Cooper who displays splendid musicality that leads the cast with momentum. When Tony Rive as Sir Andrew Aguecheek appears under the lights you know something hilariously spectacular is about to take place, always, and there’s such fun in the pairing and camaraderie between Jono Freeman and Scott Middleton. As Peter Houghton heightens all things lovesick and love possessed with delightful madness, Nicole Nabout as always, shows grace in her comedic timing and natural stage presence. Elizabeth Brennan plays Viola and Cesario with incredible skill, and Hugh Sexton is commanding as Orsino whilst being able to relate his confusion to the audience.
Energy and precise play is received from the entire cast in this production, also including the talents from Maverick Newman, Scott Jackson and Sasha Lippman. Jackson’s delivery was strong here in sunglasses and presence for his role, whilst Lippman’s confidence and articulation shone through.
Led by director Glenn Elston OAM, musical director Paul Norton and choreographer Sue-Ellen Shook, the Australian Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night allows for an absolutely enchanting evening. Book your ticket to see the show and head to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Melbourne until February 28th 2026.
