VIOLA: Twelfth Night, Or “What’s Her HIStory?”

VIOLA: Twelfth Night, Or “What’s Her HIStory?” is an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s TWELFTH NIGHT, OR WHAT YOU WILL. Shakespeare’s female characters in Comedies, often, disguise themselves as men in order to survive alone in the world. While in this disguise, they are free to be smart, outspoken, witty, passionate, funny, opinionated, and wise. Claire has found when she’s played these characters she too was allowed to be such things. VIOLA was the first Shakespearean role she played while in London studying the Bard. She sent her on a quest of expression and realization in all its gritty, sexy, funny, heart-wrenching, masculine, feminine, plot-twisting magnificence. Through the point of view of VIOLA, Claire tells Shakespeare’s story in order to meet herself again, “Do I stand there?” A Shipwreck tears VIOLA from her twin brother, who she believes to be dead, and leaves her to fend for herself in a land she doesn’t know. She disguises herself as a young man for her safety and to work for the Duke– a love triangle ensues. This telling of disguise, revelation, and reunion is Claire’s love letter to Shakespeare and the young woman, VIOLA/young Claire in London, who inspired the voyage.

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Runtime: 60 minutes