BYUs daffy 'Twelfth Night' reimagines Shakespeare for modern audiences

The BYU Department of Theatre and Media Arts' mainstage production of William Shakespeares "Twelfth Night" premiered last weekend, inviting audiences into the fictional world of Illyria.

The show features bright colors, wacky costumes and a delightfully daffy world that highlights the plays humor and absurdity.

The world of the play is both comedic and innocent, and daffy describes the intersection between the two, said Adam Houghton, the show's director. I proposed to the design team that daffy be our guiding principle, and the look of the scenic elements, props, costumes, hair and makeup, lighting and sound all express a daffiness to the audience.

Making Shakespeare approachable was central to the productions vision.

Rachel Huillet, who plays Feste, said Houghton focused on ensuring audiences felt both entertained and able to understand the play.

He wanted everyone who comes to see the show to walk away and feel really happy and to feel confident that Shakespeare is for everyone, Huillet said.

Huillet noted that although Shakespeares work has been performed for centuries, its themes remain relevant today.

Everyone can relate to feeling mistreated, or feeling like you have to hide, or being in love. It's something that everyone feels, Huillet said.

Many audience members may already be familiar with the story of Twelfth Night, even if they arent avid Shakespeare fans. Modern adaptations like Shes the Man and All Shook Up follow the plays plot.

As one of Shakespeares most musical plays, BYUs production adapts the music into a modern style, featuring speakers in Orsinos palace and a boombox and microphone for Festes numbers. The music for the show was composed by Rylie Pence.

Students have shaped every aspect of the production. Aside from our costume designer (La Beene), sound designer (Matthew Kupferer) and dramaturg (Shelley Graham), all the other designers and dramaturgs are students. The cast and stage management team are all students. Student crews made everything, Houghton said.

The production holds personal significance for Maitlyn Wright, a theatre arts studies major.

31 years ago, my parents met in BYU's production of Twelfth Night. My mom was Olivia, and my dad played Fabian, which we have gender bent to be Fabia. The reason I wanted to design 'Twelfth Night' was because I knew that's how my parents met, Wright said.

Wrights connection to the show highlights the lasting impact that theatre can have on peoples lives.

I hope people leave after seeing 'Twelfth Night' with a reminder that the world is absolutely crazy, but its part of the ebb and flow of our lives. Joy, difficulty and sadness can coexist, and sometimes you just need that reminder, Huillet said.

Tickets to the show are available on the BYU Theatre and Media Arts website.