Shakespeare in Roma Street Parklands

Following hot on the heels of last year's hit Titus and 2014's sell-out season of The Tempest, the Matilda award-winning Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble bring their next theatre event, Twelfth Night to Brisbane's Roma Street Parkland Amphitheatre from Aug 24.

Twelfth Night follows the adventures of Viola, a woman of noble birth who finds herself washed up on the shores of Illyria after a shipwreck. Viola disguises herself as a man to find employment and goes to work for the lovesick Duke Orsino.

Orsino immediately sets Viola the task of wooing the Countess Olivia, a lady deep in mourning for her deceased brother. No sooner has Viola become Orsino's love messenger than she finds herself falling in love with him, while Olivia, believing Viola to be a man, finds herself falling head over heels for the resourceful go-between.

Meanwhile, Olivia's housekeeper Maria, determined not to become an old maid, abandons the gloom of her mistress' house for the bright underworld of perpetual party-animal, Sir Toby Belch. Together they devise a scheme to bring down Olivia's haughty, killjoy butler Malvolio once and for all, unleashing a riotous chain of chaos, confusion and obsession.

Directed by QSE Artisitc Director, Rob Pensalfini (nominated for a Best Director Matilda Award for QSE's 2013 A Midsummer Night's Dream) and set in Brisbane’s Roma Street Parkland, QSE's Twelfth Night features more music than any other Shakespeare play.

Colin Smith, who starred in QTC's Black Diggers and was also nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Matilda Award for his work in last year's QTC production of The Odd Couple, returns to the QSE stage as Malvolio, and Silvan Rus (nominated for Best Supporting Actor for playing Aaron in last year's Titus) will play Viola's twin brother Sebastian. As well as directing, Rob Pensalfini will also perform the role of Feste, the depressed fool who has long since lost his taste for fooling, adding to his growing resume of critically celebrated roles which includes Titus Andronicus, Shylock, Richard 3 and Prospero.

Performances: Preview: Wed 24 Aug, 7:30 pm, Gala Night: Thursday 25 August 7:30 pm (mingle with the cast and enjoy food and refreshments after the show)

Q&A: Thursday September 1, 20 minute question and answer session with the cast and crew after the show

Season: August 26-28, August 31-September 4, September 7-8 in Roma Street Parkland Amphitheatre. Tickets” Full: $30, Concession (for full-time students, pensioners, health care card holders, MEAA card holders, and 4ZZZ subscriber card holders): $25.Group Discount (10+): $24

Bookings: www.qldshakespeare.org/twelfthnight