Shakespeare returns to Webb

Feste the clown, played by John Newman, perpetuates a prank being played on Malvolio, played by Vijay Patatunda, in the Webb School production of 'Twelfth Night.' (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Order this photo]

It's a challenging project for the high school students -- as well as the middle schoolers, who will be performing "Henry V" next month -- but with not one but two professional Shakespearian actors directing them, the plays are sure to be successes.

"It's the first time we've done Shakespeare since I've been here," said Ruth Cordell, the director of the speech and theater department.

Lane Davies goes over notes with the cast of 'Twelfth Night' after the final dress rehearsal. The play opens tonight at 7 p.m. There will be additional performances Friday and Saturday. (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Helping out has been actor and director Lane Davies, one of the driving forces behind the Shakespeare Festival. Both Cordell and Davies have performed Shakespeare in Los Angeles, as well as other professional venues. Last year, they starred opposite each other as Titania and Oberon in "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

Cordell decided to do "Twelfth Night" for several reasons.

"Two of the students really wanted to do it," she said. "And I was losing so many seniors this year, I wanted to bring in some new talent."

Webb's annual spring play is usually smaller, with last year's "Our Town" a rare exception. But this year, she said, she wanted a play with a much larger cast to give some of her younger students a chance to get on stage.

"Twelfth Night" doesn't exactly have a "cast of thousands," but the comedy does have many roles, from the guards and ladies in waiting to the main characters, Orsino and Olivia and Viola and Sebastian.

It is a "typical" Shakespeare comedy in many ways -- there are star-crossed lovers, mistaken identities, practical jokes and, in the end, almost everyone gets a happily ever after. Only poor Malvolio, Countess Olivia's pompous and unpopular steward, would write a different ending.

Life imitates art as Viola (Elizabeth Moss) and Sebastian, (her brother, Trip Moss III) play twins who are separated when their boat capsizes at sea. Later, Viola disguises as a man, Cesario, and becomes the servant of Orsino, a duke. She falls in love with him, but he wants to marry the countess Olivia, played with regal humor by Zola Chihombori-Quao. Add to the mix Malvolio, (Vijay Patatumba), who is subjected to the practical jokes and machinations of Sir Toby Belch, played by Ryan Pryor, and his crowd of co-conspirators. Plots thicken, intrigue increases, and confusion reigns as would-be lovers get directed, re-directed and misdirected constantly.

The play requires timing, of course, as well as technical proficiency. There are several situations when the actors have to change costumes quickly and Cordell drilled the students in the technical aspects as much as Davies did the artistic interpretation.

And, as with all of the Bard's works, learning the language itself can be difficult.

"I studied under someone who was supposedly a Shakespeare expert," said Cordell. "When we (Davies and Cordell) first performed together I would emphasize all the pronouns. Lane asked me what I was doing and I told him what I'd been taught.

"He just rolled his eyes."

Getting "re-educated" in the rhythm of Shakespeare's language helped Cordell help her student avoid the same pitfalls she had experienced. The students noticed.

"They're professionals," said John Newman, who plays the irrepressible clown, Feste. "They teach us to do it like professionals, not like high school students. I think that's a good thing."

Working with the students can also be difficult. Unlike professional actors, who can dedicate an entire day to learning lines, blocking action and rehearsals, the students have to divide their attention between the stage and that other stuff they have to do at Webb -- such as go to classes, take exams and have some semblance of a social life.

"It takes them a little longer to get the language," said Davies. "But they bring a freshness to it."

Many of the students in the play will return to Webb for the Shakespeare camp being held there, and will get to perform again on stage at the Shakespeare festival. Cordell may be priming the pump for next year's school production by bringing along new actors, but Davies' production of "Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Romeo and Juliet" will also benefit from their hard work.

If you go

What: 'Twelfth Night'; When: 7 p.m. tonight through Saturday; Where: Chapel Stage, Webb School, Bell Buckle; Cost: $5

On the web

For more information about Camp Tenn Shakes, visit www.tennesseeshakespearefestival.com/Cam... . For more information about the Tennessee Shakespeare festival, visit www.tennesseeshakespearefestival.com .