Twelfth Night, Grasmere Hall

Few small village dramatic societies would have the resources or courage to stage a Shakespeare play, even fewer would have the skills. Grasmere Players, however, seem to have The Bard in their hand.

As we walked in to the hall, the calm beauty of an Italianate garden greeted us from the stage. Rosy light touched the edges of leaves and gentle music sounded in the air. If music be the food of love, play on...and they did with zest.

The Duke sighed for his indifferent Olivia; she sighed for her dead father and brother, while Viola wept for her drowned brother. Not a promising start to a comedy, but oh, how it unrolls towards the happiest, heart-lifting ending.

It was an absolute delight.

The actors spoke their lines with clarity and confidence; I hesitate to select a few from such a competent crew, but such a pair of eyes as Viola (Sarah Waterhouse) has can melt hearts; Orsino (Adam Lines) was convincingly dignified; Toby Belch (Hugh Wright) lived up to his name and had the audience laughing out loud, ably accompanied by his fellow carousers, Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Adam Foster) and Fabian (Trevor Eastes). Maria (Moira Rowlinson) was a minx and an equal to her love interest, Sir Toby. There wasn't a weak link in the chain. The climax of Malvolio's (Jo Stephenson) letter scene began with laughter but ended in tears - the audience's! It was moving as he sat, without hope, in the dungeon.

There are so many first class touches: the costumes (superb!), the inventive masks, the astute, sensitive direction (Hilary Stephenson), and the flexible set design. The entire production will only get better - catch it when you can – you will be beguiled.

Judith Notley

Twelfth Night continues every Wednesday and Thursday until July 10 (8pm).