For Pennsic 53, the Known World Players will be performing:

“Twelfth Night or What You Will”
by William Shakespeare

About “Twelfth Night or What You Will”

Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, or What You Will is a comedic masterpiece of mistaken identity, unrequited love, and gender-bending chaos.

The play begins with a shipwreck that separates twin siblings, Viola and Sebastian, each believing the other has drowned. Landing in the land of Illyria, Viola disguises herself as a young man named Cesario and enters the service of the lovesick Duke Orsino. Orsino is infatuated with the Countess Olivia, who is in mourning and refuses all romantic advances. He sends Cesario (Viola) to woo Olivia on his behalf.

A complicated love triangle ensues: Orsino loves Olivia, Olivia falls in love with the disguised Cesario (Viola), and Viola falls in love with Orsino. The situation is further complicated by a boisterous subplot involving Olivia’s drunken uncle, Sir Toby Belch, his foolish companion Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and the witty servant Maria. Together, they conspire to humiliate Olivia’s pompous steward, Malvolio, by tricking him into believing Olivia loves him.

When Viola’s identical twin brother, Sebastian, arrives in Illyria, the confusion escalates to a fever pitch. Mistaken identities lead to comical duels, bewildered declarations of love, and frantic accusations.

The play will be directed by Lord Jayme Hume of Berwyk.