Anonymous 29-Dec-2010 Rated : 5 stars

Brilliant! Most entertaining performance I've seen in ages.

Sharon Patterson 28-Dec-2010 Rated : 5 Stars

Go and see it! Don't let the fact it's Shakespeare put you off. I'm no lover of Shakespeare plays but this production is truly entertaining. Sitting around tables where the cast mingle with the audience makes this an experience that takes you back in time to the 'good old days'. Lovely, cosy pub upstairs, didn't eat but food looked good.

Emma Christophers 27-Dec-2010 Rated : 5 stars

First class performances in a first class production. Loved Sir Toby Belch and Feste - but all cast were good. Well worth the trip to Canary Wharf.

Congratulations to the cast and crew after the first week of performances of Twelfth Night. Though the audience numbers  have so far been small, we have had an extremely enthusiastic and encouraging response to the show - not least from Paul Vale who published a review in THE STAGE  this morning:

Twelfth Night
Published Friday 24 December 2010 at 11:00 by Paul Vale

With its excellent acoustics and cabaret-style seating, The Space makes an ideal venue for Chris Chambers’ music hall-style production of Shakespeare’s popular comedy. Embracing the festive spirit of the piece, each of the cast play instruments or perform popular music hall numbers and many songs that feature in the play are given this treatment too.

There are some great performances on show, notably that of Andrew Venning as Feste, granted a much more central performance here as a Master of the Revels of sorts.

Andrew Goddard as Sir Toby, Taniel Yusef as Maria and Christopher Mark as Sir Andrew are the focus for the comedy in this play and their cruel taunting of Michael Good’s dour Malvolio is as sad as it is funny. Kristal Sisodia is a strong, forthright Viola but her relationship with Steven Rostance’s Orsino seems only meagrely explored.

Pierre Gouverneur’s lighting lends atmosphere on a budget and his video projections throughout the play enhance rather than detract from the action.

Chambers’ production, which transfers first to Hoxton Hall and then Middle Temple Hall, site of the original production in 1602, is engaging, amusing and remarkably fluid.

Say no more...

Today we had our final run through of Twelfth Night before moving to THE SPACE for production week. I can only say it has been a pleasure rehearsing with this wonderful cast and I believe the show will entertain and inspire. We have a long tech on Monday to look forward to - a chance to integrate all the different factors in the production - costume, set, video, music - and not forgetting the acting - that is rather important too...

I was really pleased to have found an old projector in the attic (it is amazing what's up there!) and it has now been woven into the lighting design to create a special effect. The great thing about rehearsals is the layering. One by one new elements are added - are fed into the process. Gradually ideas evolve into a whole,  pictures that appear to have design and purpose. Today during the run, it felt like there were only a few drawings left to colour in...so roll on the tech...

Thanks to Pierre for coming up with this!

We are well into rehearsals now for Twelfth Night, having fought the elements all week. The cast has been fantastic, both on and off stage and the vibe is good. 

Emi is working with friend Kat on costume design - she has already come up with some fantastic ideas.

Set designer, Lizzy gets started on building the set - to scale!

Pierre has the easy job of designing a lighting plan for three entirely different venues!

Mafalda is concentrating on the video projections that will be used in the show.

Nicky is producing the show and keeping the ship afloat. As well as playing the occasional gig!

I am watching everyone else doing great work!