VIDEO: Come One, Come All to Illyria

“How will this fadge?” Katrice Kemble asks when she’s in character as the ’s Viola. Fadge, Kemble said laughing, was one of the tough Shakespearian words she and the rest of the cast has trouble sticking. In fact, the prose are so difficult that even veteran BHS actor , who starred in last spring’s , said he’s worried about delivering his lines. “My worst fear is not recovering from that,” Perito said of messing up on stage.

“It’s one of those things,” said Kemble, “you think is really easy but Shakespeare makes it difficult.”

Senior Sam Bibbins who will portray Sir Andrew Aguecheck acts with spirit and energy that is unparalleled. Of his principal part with many lines he said, “I really thought it was going to be difficult but once you do it enough it becomes part of your everyday life – when you live, breath and eat Shakespeare.”

And these students have lived, breathed and ate this play for the better part of three months. 

After spending a dress rehearsal with the crew before the show opens Thursday, Dec. 8, there’s not doubt that everyone will pull off their parts and do so with flying colors.

Director Maria Ogren, Branford High School English teacher knows Shakespeare is tall order for her actors but has all the confidence that they will deliver the show with gusto. In fact, she notes that it is their acting skills and abilities that bring the lovely words of Shakespeare alive for the audiences to enjoy.

Every four years since taking on the fall play in 1972 when she began teaching at BHS, Ogren said she has had students perform Shakespeare. “I think if they are going to pursue theater or take a drama course in college or join community theater, they ought to have some experience with Shakespeare.”  Ogren added, “Anyone who wants to be a decent human being better have some Shakespeare.”

Though a huge proponent of the play and the author she says “delves into the human personality and human psyche the way very few dramatist authors do,” Ogren is also not afraid to push boundaries and that’s why she set Twelfth Night in a circus.

Like the play’s original setting of Illyria, Ogren said, “I think the circus is a lot like that with its own distinct culture.”

You can expect odd props, “madcap” humor and a real circus ring where the scenes of Twelfth Night will play out. The characters take on roles similar to the original with tweaks and twists and expect loud and colorful costumes to awaken your senses.

Twelfth Night is the type of comedy where actor Chris Marsala, a senior at BHS, can really flourish. He’s known for his bravado and very extrovert style of acting so seeing him come on stage as the play’s negative character Malvolio, adds a real depth to the scenes. Marsala is looking forward to the performances and being someone he’s not.” “That’s the best thing about acting,” he said.

“Shakespeare is really difficult,” he commented. “I think the greatest thing with all these actors and actresses with their gesticulations and their comedy is that they make it really wonderful… with all the action happening on stage, you’ll find that you become lost in Illyria.”

Thursday Dec. 8-Saturday, Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m.
, 185 E Main St, Branford, CT, $5