A new-age take on William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night

A scene from the play

Filter Theatre, in association with the Royal Shakespeare Company, will present their radical interpretation of the classic Twelfth Night, directed by Sean Holmes and re-directed by Oliver Dimsdale and Ferdy Roberts, in the city, next week. The adaptation promises to be a fast-paced and accessible version of Shakespeare's much-loved comedy. Presented by a strong ensemble with new techniques, the play attempts to renew the power of Shakespeare for a new-age audience.

A scene from the play

"We have six actors, two musicians and a stage manager - a bit smaller than Shakespeare's company would have been. We perform in modern dress, have a live band on stage, have no set or props, just the power of the words and the audience's imaginations, all as in Shakespeare's day," shares Simon Reade, associate producer of the play. "The production stays true to the original story, accurately conveying the melancholy of unrequited lovers and the mad things that we do when falling head over heels," he adds. Holmes, explains, "Our work will showcase the rich diversity of contemporary British approaches to Shakespeare's text. It's not all about grand speeches and traditional costumes, it's about theatre for people living in the 21st century. That's the most fascinating thing for us as artistes."

This performance marks Filter Theatre's debut in India. The company has been roped in by the British Council as part of its year-long celebration, titled Shakespeare Lives, taking place across eight cities, as an ode to the Bard's 400th death anniversary in April 2016. "Over the last few weeks, we have performed in Delhi and Chandigarh, Kolkata and Bhubaneshwar. The audience in each city is different but all enthusiastic, engaged and emotional," shares Reade. The company will not only perform in India but hold workshops for schools and theatre professionals on performing Shakespeare's plays and making them relevant.