Twelfth Night
Twelfth Night: The Hamlet of the comedies
Austin Tichenor suggests that “Twelfth Night” is the “Hamlet” of the comedies, dealing with loss, separation, and death and using some surprisingly similar elements — but in a far happier way.
Shakespeare, improvisation, and the art of rhetoric
Shakespeare characters like Viola and Iago are masters of improvisation, says Folger Director Michael Witmore in this excerpt from the 2017 Shakespeare’s Birthday Lecture.
A recipe for Twelfth Night cake
Park’s Shakspearean Twelfth-Night Characters. Handcolored print, ca. 1830. Folger Shakespeare Library. Twelfth Night is a Christian holiday typically celebrated on January 5 or 6, concluding the 12 days of Christmas and celebrating the visit of the Magi (the three kings). Twelfth…
A beautiful Twelfth Night
Folger Finds delivers delightful and insightful moments with the Folger collection. Sarah Hovde, a cataloger at the Folger Shakespeare Library, reveals a 1932 edition of Twelfth Night with beautiful engravings by Eric Ravilious. Twelfth Night, the last of the twelve…
Elizabethan Holidays: Christmas, New Year's Day... and Plough Monday?
The Twelve Days of Christmas, from December 25 to January 6, was the longest and most enthusiastically celebrated festival in the Elizabethan calendar. Presiding over the revelries throughout the twelve days was the Lord of Misrule, a clownish figure appointed to organize the entertainments.
Twelfth Night
What better play to consider on the twelfth night of Christmas than Twelfth Night? Viola Allen and James Young as Viola and Sebastian (1904) Although there are discrepant practices today whether the Feast of the Epiphany—marking the visit of the…
Louis Butelli: Folger Audio Recordings
Louis Butelli as Feste in Twelfth Night. Photo by Scott Suchman. Hello once again from your friend Louis Butelli, most recently Feste in Folger Theatre’s Twelfth Night. We closed our show on June 9 after a great run: thanks to…
Louis Butelli: Playing Fools
Hello once again from your friend Louis Butelli, currently playing Feste in Twelfth Night at the Folger Theatre. Our show must close this Sunday, on June 9th – grab your tickets now by clicking here. We’re having such a blast…
The Role of Pants in Pants Roles
Emily Trask as Viola In Folger Theatre’s Twelfth Night. Photo: Scott Suchman. Pants. Slacks. Breeches. Knickers. Overalls. Pantaloons. Pedal Pushers. Trousers. Jeans. Bloomers. Jodhpurs. Khakis. Drawers. Call them what you will, in our production of What You Will – of…
If Music Be the Food of Love . . . PLAY on.
Indeed, if Music is the food of love, Twelfth Night, or What You Will playing now at the Folger Theatre, is an amorous buffet. Joshua Morgan, Piano – Emily Trask, Cello – Louis Butelli, ukulele and voice – Chris Genebach,…
Louis Butelli: Taking Care of our Own
Louis Butelli (as Feste) and Tonya Beckman (as Maria) in Twelfth Night. Photo by Scott Suchman. Hello again from your friend Louis Butelli, currently playing Feste in Folger Theatre’s fantastic production of Twelfth Night. Our show must close on June…
Louis Butelli: Now Playing! Twelfth Night!
Louis Butelli as Feste in Twelfth Night. Photo by Scott Suchman. Hello once again from your pal Louis Butelli, currently playing Feste in Folger Theatre’s production of Twelfth Night. We’re having an absolute blast playing this show, and hope you’ll…