BY SCOTT C. MORGAN
Haven't we seen this before? For the next two weeks, Chicago Shakespeare Theater's World's Stage program once again hosts an acclaimed international production of Twelfth Night, with an all-male acting troupe.
Back in 2003, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre from London dazzled Chicago crowds with its 'traditional practices' production of Shakespeare's gender-bending romantic comedy.
Since no respectable woman would perform on an Elizabethan stage in the late 1500s, Shakespeare's company utilized young men to play the women's parts. So when Twelfth Night's heroine Viola disguised herself as a man, it was actually a man playing a woman playing a man ( and you thought Victor/Victoria was confusing ) .
If you were lucky enough to score a ticket to see that acclaimed Twelfth Night, you might be tempted to shrug 'been there, done that' and skip this 2003 production that premiered at The Chekhov International Theatre Festival. But as Chicago Shakespeare's executive director Criss Henderson points out, this Twelfth Night is different.
'Probably the fact that this is an all-male company is probably the only thing this production has in common with the Globe production,' Henderson said. 'And Shakespeare's beautiful script of Twelfth Night, of course.'
One major difference in British director Declan Donnellan's approach is that there is no attempt to slavishly stick to traditional practices scenery or Elizabethan costumes. Also, this Twelfth Night is also performed by a Russian cast—in Russian ( with projected English translations ) .
Henderson was skeptical when he and Chicago Shakespeare artistic director Barbara Gaines encountered this production in 2004 in a Parisian suburb—with French projected translations. But even with the language barriers ( and loads of jet lag ) , they were enthralled.
'One of the things I can guarantee any audience member that comes to this show is that they won't have a problem with the Russian language,' Henderson said. 'The projected translations are clear, but most importantly the acting is so brilliant that with a quick read of the synopsis there is not a bit of trouble of fully understanding.'
Indeed, wherever this Twelfth Night has gone, it has garnered rave reviews. When it played earlier this month at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Ben Brantley of the New York Times gushed, 'Any theatergoer's feelings when this ravishing production concludes are likely to be as close to undiluted pleasure… .'
This Twelfth Night is another triumph for Donnellan, who is best known for running London's acclaimed Cheek by Jowl with his designer and partner, Nick Ormerod. They've explored all-male Shakespeare before with an acclaimed 1991 As You Like It, but Donnellan wanted to try again with his Russian troupe.
'I think it's interesting to explore these plays as they were once written,' Donnellan said. 'All the theatrical traditions have changed since then there are things that emerge when an all-male cast performs it so it has a slightly different atmosphere.'
Donnellan likes to work organically with his cast and crew. And though he doesn't speak Russian, Donnellan is amazed how quickly he can work with the aid of translators.
'I don't start with an intellectual idea of what I'm going to do,' Donnellan said. 'Nick Ormerod doesn't come to rehearsals with a set design box or costume sketches dictating how we're going to do it. It's very much about starting to rehearse—starting to work and then Nick will start to decide on the look and the design.'
Donnellan is also keen on his Russian company's devotion to theater, even though many are superstars of film and TV in their native Russia.
'Many Russian actors are able to change their film contracts—which is unthinkable in the U.S. and Britain,' Donnellan said.
For Henderson, the possibility of attracting a large Russian expatriate crowd is also an extra benefit of hosting this touring production. While he was helping to translate a Twelfth Night ad for a Russian-language newspaper, Henderson said the ad rep was shocked at all the famous Russian names attached.
'They said these are some of the biggest 'hotties' of Russia,' Henderson said.
By presenting acclaimed foreign actors and troupes, Henderson feels Chicago Shakespeare Theater is taking the torch from Chicago's defunct International Theatre Festival. And, in a way, presenting an all-male troupe expands audience members' minds.
'In America we tend to be a little uptight around these issues, but if it is a great actor, the fact that it's a man playing a woman will disappear in the first five minutes. And they are all great actors and the production is so artfully and hilariously done that there should be no hang-ups.'
The Chekhov International Theater Festival's production of Twelfth Night plays at Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier though Dec. 3. Tickets are $50-$67. Call 312-595-5600.