William Shakespeare
Twelfth Night

Twelfth Night

  • Radio comedy drama
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 2023
  • 2 episodes (1 series)

A new radio production to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's comedy. Stars Giles Terera, Indigo Griffiths, Genevieve Gaunt, Toby Jones, Ayesha Antoine and more.

Key details

Genre
Comedy Drama
Broadcast
2023
Channel
BBC Radio 4
Episodes
2 (1 series)
Stars
Giles Terera, Indigo Griffiths, Genevieve Gaunt, Toby Jones, Ayesha Antoine, David Elue, David Troughton, Jamie Treacher and more
Writer
William Shakespeare
Producer
Clive Brill
Company

First included in the First Folio in 1623, this is a 400th anniversary production of Shakespeare's wonderful comedy of mistaken identities and unrequited love. And it also contributes to the marking of the centenary of BBC Radio Drama as in 1923, 300 years after the First Folio, Twelfth Night became the first full-length Shakespeare play to be broadcast on BBC radio.

When twins Viola and Sebastian are shipwrecked on the coast of Illyria, both believing each other to have drowned, they both go in search of sanctuary. Viola disguises herself as a man and finds refuge in the court of Duke Orsino. Orsino is in love with the widow Olivia but Olivia quickly falls in love with Orsino's messenger, Viola.

Along with the drunken antics of Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek (also in love with Olivia), the sanctimonious pomposity of Olivia's main courtier Malvolio, the clever scheming of Maria the maid and the frantic gambolling of Feste the Fool, the inevitable result is merry chaos. But will love conquer all?

Catch-up

Additional details

Also known as
  • 12th Night
Soundtrack
Music by Joseph Bedell.

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Saturday 22nd April 2023 at 3pm on BBC Radio 4

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