REVIEW: Twelfth Night, Workington Playgoers 

Live music certainly added to the atmosphere brought on stage by the Workington Playgoers in their performance of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.

The early music composed by Philip Wood, in collaboration with Bridget Hilton, gave the whole play a more historic feel.

Hannah Lewis, as Feste, delighted the audience with her sweet voice, singing both a cappella and accompanied by recorders and other early instruments.

The vicious circle of mistaken identity of the comedy was really brought to life by Rosie Sweeny, as Viola, and Kelly Davis, as Olivia.

The comedy almost turned into a farce when Malvolio, Geoffrey Hall, appeared dressed in his yellow stockings with a big silly smile on his face. 

He had the audience in fits of laughter.

I must admit that I'm not quite sure I should have laughed at the end of the play, when the cast engaged in what seemed to be a Renaissance ball.

Dancing to the lively music played by the orchestra, the actors did not look too sure about their moves, especially when spinning and swapping places in their sequence.

Besides this little hesitation, Twelfth Night was funny and most certainly entertaining.

The show at Moorclose sixth form auditorium, runs until Saturday and shows start at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £8 (concs £7) and can be booked by calling the Carnegie Theatre box office on 01900 602122.

FEDERICA BEDENDO