Twelfth Night

Written by William Shakespeare in 1602, Twelfth Night was a romantic comedy centred on the twins Viola and Sebastian, and their strange love encounters.

Twelfth Night is such an amusing comedy, so I wanted to design it with fun. I researched different games to find inspirations for my stage to make it playground-like.

Research

Real human-sized chess game interested me. Also, I found it very suitable to depict the dynamic of the two houses in the script.

Inspiration and Development

After trying in different ways to adapt the concept into a stage, I decided to have my sets printed on semi-translucent screens. All those screens can move freely through the rails hiding under the floor.

LED screens were set on the floor so the floor patterns could be changed. This design was later used to emphasise the dynamic.

Malvolio’s two outfits were designed with similar elements, but everything got exaggerated in the later version.
Also, he kept a key to the whole house around his neck.

Expected to be an old lady when she veiled herself. However, when she showed her face it turned that she was quite a happy teenager. It was to make the audience feel this shame that a passionate lady decided to vail herself in such a young age.

Olivia’s sly maid. She had embroidery on her apron and a little touch of accessories. This indicated that she worked for a noble house. Her blouse was made of thin muslin, showing she is a sexy woman.

Followed Duke Orsino's fashion, in a humble way.

He wore a lace ruff showing his appreciation of Olivia’s House’s fashion and his narcissism.

Followed Duke Orsino's fashion, in a pride way.

The twin’s outfits are similar but Viola's is more plain.

The twin’s outfits are similar but Sebastian's is more luxurious.

A reverend with an awkward smile on his face. He does not know what is going on.

Troublesome elder. Wear prime colour.

Troublesome elder. Wear prime colour.

A foreign servant wore the humblest servant outfit.

Costume

Based on Elizabethan outfits, each house had different colours. Olivia’s House wore generally gold and black colours outfits, while Duke Orsino’s House wore silver and blue.