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Harrison Hot Springs students bring ‘Twelfth Night’ to life

The adaption of Shakespeare’s classic comedy include songs and phrases from Canada’s east coast

Cesario (Abbey Hillier) throws off Lady Olivia's advances (Lilias Edwards) in the Harrison Hot Springs Elementary production of "Twelfth Night." (Grace Kennedy/The Observer)

Grade 4, 5 and 6 students at Harrison Hot Springs Elementary brought Shakespeare’s comedic and romantically-convoluted Twelfth Night to life during their performance on Thursday, March 14.

The story centres on the fortunes of shipwrecked twins Viola and Sebastian, played by Grade 5 twins Abbey and Charley Hillier, respectively. Viola, in need of a place to stay, disguises herself as a man and enters the service of Duke Orisino, who she falls in love with.

Unfortunately for Viola — or Cesario, as she is known while in disguise — she is entrusted with helping the duke woo Lady Olivia, who falls in love with Viola instead. Sebastian enters the fray, and soon people can’t tell who is who.

Shakespeare’s version of Twelfth Night inspires hilarity enough, with love triangles and moments mistaken identity. But Grade 4/5 teacher Rebekah Jack added some extra comedy in her adaption of the play, by envisioning the Illyrian setting in Newfoundland and including some classic folk tunes as musical interludes.



grace.kennedy@ahobserver.com

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