Village setting for Shakespeare

Lady Olivia's household from Summer Shakespeare Tauranga's production of Twelfth Night.

Summer Shakespeare Tauranga begins tonight with the first performance of Twelfth Night at the Historic Village.

Summer Shakespeare Tauranga has been established by Pascal and Nadine Tibbits and they have chosen the well-loved comedy to start the year.

The script has been simplified and shortened to make the play easier to follow for those not used to the complexities of Shakespeare.

The production will pay homage to the Bard's passing 400 years ago by being true to its original setting in the fictional coastal dukedome of Illyria in 16th century Italy.

Among the cast is a mixture of seasoned performers and secondary school students looking for more experience in the world of theatre.

The play centres on the twins Viola and Sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck. Viola, who is disguised as a boy, falls in love with Duke Orsino, who in turn is in love with the Countess Olivia. Upon meeting Viola, Countess Olivia falls in love with her thinking she is a man. The love triangle becomes more confusing when Sebastian (who had been rescued by a sea captain) arrives on the scene.

What's On:

* What: Twelfth Night

* Where: The Historic Village

* When: January 29 to February 13