Twelfth Night – Outdoor Theatre

“If music be the food of love, play on” Orsino – Act 1, Scene 1

Birmingham Botanical Gardens are thrilled to work with The Duke’s Theatre Company to bring you an outdoor performance of Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night‘

Whether you’re an audience member in 2023 or back in 1602, you could be forgiven for thinking that Twelfth Night was going to be the darkest of tragedies: what could be more nightmarish than to lose your twin sibling in a furious storm at sea and to think they’d died?

In fact, a romantic comedy unfolds with a madcap farce at its heart. The broadest of broad humour (poor Malvolio tricked into absurdity) mixes with moments of unbearable pathos (listen out for Sir Anthony Aguecheek’s wistful “I was adored once too”.).

We don’t want to give any more away, even though we’re so excited to be presenting our new  production of Twelfth Night that we want to tell you everything. We won’t though: suffice to say it all works out in the end, in a way that only Shakespeare would carry off.

What can you expect from a Duke’s Theatre Company performance? The full text in all its glory; innovative production design to support the unparalleled energy of our wonderful cast; original music so that Shakespeare’s songs are heard in a whole new way – and all we ask is that you come prepared for a wonderful time.

Twelfth Night was first performed in 1602.  Four hundred and twenty-one years on, we’re proud and privileged to bring this extraordinary play to you.

Creative Team

Director – Martin Parr

Lighting Designer:  Aaron Dootson

Design Consultant: Piran Jeffcock 

Creative Producer: Bobby Delaney

General Information

Click here to book your tickets.

Doors open – 6pm

Show starts – 7pm

This is an outdoor performance, please dress appropriately.

The performance will go ahead in wet weather.

You are welcome to bring your own blankets, chairs and picnics!