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KS4 KS5

Twelfth Night - Shakespeare - education resource

Drama English Performing Arts
A (Oliver Chris) man wearning a patterned blue suit, strides across stage, a bunch of flowers in one hand and a teddy bear in the other. A sports car, scooter and musicians are in the background.

Overview

Explore key themes of the National Theatre’s 2017 production of Twelfth Night with this series of short films.

Watch a combination of production clips with interviews from the cast and director (Simon Godwin).

Learning outcomes

Designed to support students studying the play as part of a GCSE or A Level course in Drama or English Literature, with a particular focus on character, design and interpretation.

Watch

A person with a short, dark bob haircut stands partially behind a door. They are wearing a long-sleeved, dark outfit and looking directly forward, with one hand on the edge of the door.
Play Video

Twelfth Night: Ambition

Three people are grouped on stage in a lively scene. The person in the middle, wearing a green headpiece and feathered scarf, is supported by two others who wear suits.
Play Video

Twelfth Night: Communication

Two people stand close. One is wearing a black outfit, and holds a ring towards the other. The other, wearing a herringbone coat and a hat, holds a guitar and looks confused.
Play Video

Twelfth Night: Disguises

Two actors sit on a table on a stage in party hats. The person on the right wears a
Play Video

Twelfth Night: Mistaken Identity

Two people wearing boxing gloves face off centre stage. The boxer on the left wears blue shorts and a white tank top. The boxer on the right wears a white hoodie and black trousers.
Play Video

Twelfth Night: Gender

Two people face each other, one in a white shirt and cap, the other in a black sweater. They are very close together, one adjusting the other's cap and the other touching his neck.
Play Video

Twelfth Night: Sexuality

Two people face each other. One wears a herringbone coat and cap, while the other is in a dark vintage dress, holding a banknote. Both are smiling, with a backdrop of windows and geometric patterns.
Play Video

Twelfth Night: Suffering Through Love

A person with long hair and a beard, wearing a purple shirt and waistcoat, and holding a coat over their shoulder. They are scruffy looking.
Play Video

Twelfth Night: Madness

A group of people stand on stage, dressed in dark, formal outfits and sunglasses. They are all looking in the same direction.
Play Video

Twelfth Night: Darkness

Production information

Olivier Theatre, 2017.

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare; directed by Simon Godwin; design by Soutra Gilmour; lighting design by James Farncombe; movement direction by Shelley Maxwell; music by Michael Bruce; sound design by Christopher Shutt.

Photo © Marc Brenner

The full production is available to stream on the National Theatre Collection

Suitability

Suitable for 14+/KS4+

Keywords

Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, Simon Godwin, A Level English, GCSE English, GCSE Drama, Pearson Edexcel, Eduqas, OCR

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