MIXING wine, The Hunger Games’ theatrical costumes and a Shakespearean comedy was a “welcome” challenge for Essential Theatre artistic director Amanda LaBonte.
She will don a Hunger Games-inspired frill-necked gown to play Olivia in a “modern” adaptation of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, appearing at Leura Park Estate next week.
LaBonte was delighted with the costumes local designer Sally Pearson created for the show.
“The costuming had the most compliments we’ve ever had about our design,” she said.
“Sally was inspired by the world of The Capitol (a main setting of The Hunger Games) and looked at each personality of our characters and highlighted a part of their character to create their costume.”
Although the performers recited Shakespeare’s original script, LaBonte believed using futuristic costumes and hosting the play at a winery would make the Elizabethan language “more accessible”.
Editing the original play down to 90 minutes and using a “modern” soundtrack with “folky sounds” would also help audiences tune in, she said.
“There’s something beautiful universal about Shakespeare and even though (first-time audiences) come apprehensive about the language they attune quickly.
“Being in the outdoor strips away the preconceived ideas about what Shakespeare should be, as well.”
LaBonte was excited about securing for the production Herne Hill-based actress Natalie O’Donnell, who will play LaBonte’s cross-dressing love interest, Viola/Cesario.
“It’s the first time she’s worked with the company but she brings a beautiful energy onto the stage,” LaBonte said.
“She’s my Viola – it’s very easy to fall in love with Natalie O’Donnell.”
LaBonte and O’Donnell’s characters would represent two thirds of what LaBonte described as the play’s “beautiful love triangle”.
“Viola (O’Donnell’s character), dressed up as a boy, falls in love with Count Orsino who is trying to woo my character, Olivia, who falls for Viola’s male alter ego Cesario,” LaBonte said.
“It’s this great case of mistaken identities and cross-dressing which Shakespeare does so well – practically a present day soap opera,” she laughed.
Leura Park Estate will host Twelfth Night on 8 and 9 February.
