The Twelfth Night – Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne Review

Score

Summary: A lively and rain-soaked night of Shakespearean fun under the stars.

4.5

Lively and rain-soaked!

Despite a burst of rain in the first half — enough to make you wonder if we’d wandered into The Tempest instead — this was unmistakably The Twelfth Night, delivered with humour, heart and an infectious sense of mischief. The weather became part of the adventure, proving that a good production can shine through even a Melbourne downpour.

Set on the Southern Lawn of the Royal Botanic Gardens, the performance unfolded as day slipped into dusk, with warm lighting, drifting clouds, stars emerging overhead and the occasional bat sweeping past.

The Australian Shakespeare Company excel once again at making Shakespeare accessible for all ages and experience levels. Their clarity of storytelling, expressive performances and comedic timing kept the narrative easy to follow, even as characters tangled themselves in mistaken identities and elaborate deceptions. This is Shakespeare designed to be enjoyed, not studied — and it works beautifully.

Standout moments included the cast’s playful energy during the bawdy drinking songs and a general sense of merriment that never once dimmed, even through the rain. The ensemble clearly relished the material, and that joy radiated outwards to the audience.

Final Thoughts

Energetic, funny and filled with warmth, The Twelfth Night is another delightful summer outing from the Australian Shakespeare Company. A lively production, a magical setting and a crowd ready for fun — it’s exactly what outdoor theatre should be.

Gallery
Photos by Ben Fon