It’s easy to sit back in the air-conditioned comfort of a cinema and in this alternate universe set the brain on auto-pilot and take for granted; even ignore the tremendous amount of work that goes into making a movie. Similarly, being involved in the Tropical Arts production of Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’ was an eye-opener as it forced me to appreciate the logistical work and the zillion niggles that goes into making a stage play. It takes a superhuman effort to put a Shakespeare together; which is hard enough.
But director Avril Duck had to also communicate the complexities of a Elizabethan mindset via (sign language) signing. With the invaluable assistance from Auslan interpreters Sandra Remedio and Angela Santoro, they infused Shakespeare into the minds of those Children of a lesser god. These wonderful actors brought ‘Twelfth Night’ to life and carried the legacy of Shakespeare’s brilliance to a 21st-century audience.
It was a privileged to contribute to this production wherein Viola loves Orsino, Orsino loves Olivia, and Olivia loves Cesario and I was delighted to partake in this merry kaleidoscope of colour and drama that is Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. As mentioned, it takes a superhuman effort to put a Shakespeare together, but to communicate the complexity of a Shakespearean play via signing is remarkable.
And I also had to remind myself that for many of those wonderful ‘Twelfth Night’ actors ……. they perform on a stage in silence.
