Orange Tree Theatre (OT) has released rehearsal images from its upcoming production Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.

OT Artistic Director Tom Littler directs a 1940s-set production of Shakespeare's heartrending and hilarious masterpiece of mistaken identities and secret desires.

Oliver Ford returns to the OT to play Malvolio (credit: Ellie Kurttz).

Olivier Award-winning Oliver Ford Davies is considered among the 'greatest Shakespearean actors of his generation'.

He returns to the OT to play Malvolio, alongside Jane Asher playing Maria, last seen at the OT in The Circle.

The full cast features: Jane Asher (Maria), Oliver Ford Davies (Malvolio), Patricia Allison (Viola), Stefan Bednarczyk (Feste), Clive Francis (Sir Toby Belch), Tom Kanji (Duke Orsino), Corey Montague-Sholay (Antonio), Robert Mountford (Sir Andrew Aguecheek), Dorothea Myer-Bennett (Olivia) and Tyler-Jo Richardson (Sebastian).

Patricia Allison as Viola (left) alongside Dorothea Myer-Bennett as Olivia (credit: Ellie Kurttz).

Tweflth Night follows Malvolio who runs the Lady Olivia's house with a puritanical zeal. By day, strict order is maintained and repeated advances from Olivia's many admirers are firmly rebuffed.

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But after dark, wine flows freely and Olivia's lady-in-waiting Maria is planning to settle old scores. When a shipwreck washes up two strangers, the scene is set for a comedy of romantic chaos.

'Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ʼem' (credit: Ellie Kurttz).

The set and costume designers for Twelfth Night include: Neil Irish, Anett Black; Lighting Designer: William Reynolds; Sound Designer and Composer: Matt Eaton; Movement Director: Julia Cave; Assistant Director: Rosie Tricks; Fight Director: Philip D'Orléans; Casting Director: Matilda James CDG

OT Artistic Director Tom Littler directs (credit: Ellie Kurttz).

Showings of the new production begin playing at the independent Richmond theatre on 23 November 2024 up until 25 January 2025.

To find out more about Twelfth Night and to purchase tickets click here.

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