Bard in the Quad presents lively telling of 'Twelfth Night'

CORVALLIS - Oregon State University's popular Bard in the Quad program is back this summer with William Shakespeare's romantic comedy "Twelfth Night."

The play takes place in the imaginary land of Illyria, and opens with the lovelorn Duke Orsino crying for Olivia, who will not have him.

Meanwhile, a clever young maiden named Viola washes up on the shore following a tragic shipwreck. She believes that her twin brother is dead, lost at sea.

With no one left to escort her, she decides to pose as a man, and finds a job in the service of Orsino.

The amusement begins when the Duke sends her to woo Olivia in his place.

The style of the Bard in the Quad production this year is "Commedia dell'Arte" - an Italian Renaissance form of performance packed with stock characters and love stories, usually performed in a plaza or square.

While she was researching the play, director Elizabeth Helman felt that the play seemed to naturally fit that style, with the plot's twists and turns and silliness. "Often the central question is 'how are these crazy kids going to get together?,'" she said.

"Twelfth Night is a play about excess and intensely passionate characters who fall in and out of love quickly," Helman said. "A large, outdoor venue allows us to create a very playful and theatrical world for these over-the-top characters to exist."

Indeed, the magnificent edifice of the Memorial Union provides a stunning backdrop, but the large performance area also poses multiple challenges.

During performances, the hallways of the MU, become a massive back stage with actors running through the corridors to re-enter the scene from different pathways.

Part of stage manager Heather Hewlett's job is to cue actors to start their entrances at the correct time. Seated behind the crowd, she uses a flag to alert actors waiting at far points in the quad, out of earshot.

The effect however, is worth the coordination: characters stroll towards the center of action in what seems a much more believable fashion than sudden traditional stage meetings, occasionally interacting with the audience along the way.

As a result, confrontations arrive with an appealing inevitability, as the audience tracks characters on collision courses toward the central plaza.

The dozen actors who make up this year's Bard in the Quad troupe manage to fill the space admirably, with outsized gestures and poses, loud voices and an emphasis on physical comedy that helps translate Shakespeare's flowery lines into meanings that anyone in the audience can grasp.

Amusing details - rowdy, raunchy or unexpected - such as when Viola spits up sea water after washing ashore, add the play. Feste's (Matt Holland's) singing and guitar playing go well with the relaxed evening atmosphere on the quad.

Nick Sheler, who plays Sir Toby, has enjoyed both the verbal and physical challenges of his role, which includes lifts and sword fighting. The play is his first Shakespearean role

By contrast, Eric Nepom, who tackles the role of Orsino, comes into the production with many years of experience in Shakespearean plays. In fact, he's played the Duke three times.

"The first time I fell off the stage," he laughed.

The perils of outdoor theater are many. In addition to missed cues, a plethora of painful, possibly embarrassing injuries threaten at all times.

The play is so physical that many of the costumes include inconspicuous sneakers and knee pads that are paired with the ornate and colorful period costumes.

According to various actors, mishaps during this year's "Twelfth Night" rehearsals have included a dislocated shoulder, a bulging disc, cut feet, cut hands and several sprained ankles.

"But, we haven't replaced anyone," Nepom said.

"It's a very physically demanding space," said Helman."Luckily, they are up to the challenge."

This is Helman's first Bard in the Quad production, although she has worked with several of OSU theatre's productions over the last three years, including directing "Arcadia" last winter term. Helman follows in the footsteps of Scott Palmer, who directed the first three years of Bard on the Quad performances at OSU. He is directing a similar program in Hillsboro this summer.

"I'm really excited to be a part of it," Helman said. "It's fun. I don't mind spending every hour of every day thinking about it."

CHECK IT OUT

WHO: Oregon State University Theatre

WHAT: Bard in the Quad's "Twelfth Night"

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 5-9 and 12-16.

WHERE: Memorial Union Quad, Oregon State University.

COST: $14 general admission, $10 seniors and students and $7 for OSU students with ID. Tickets available online, through the OSU theatre box office (737-2784), the MU Business office or one hour prior to performances at a table in the center of the quad.

BRING: This is an outdoor performance and no seating is provided. Bring blankets or lawn chairs and warm clothing.

INFO: www.bardinthequad.org

CAST

Directed by Elizabeth Helman

Sir Toby ……………….. Nick Sheler

Duke Orsino ………… Eric Nepom

Viola ……………………. Kim Holling

Olivia ………….. Erin Cunningham

Sebastian …………….. Troy Eggers

Feste …………………. Matt Holland

Maria …………………. Lacey Nolan

Curio ……………….. Jordan Brinck

Fabian ………………… Mike Bishop

Sir Andrew …………… Jeff Nichols

Malvolio …………….. Matt Bradley

Antonio ………………….. Ian Burns