'Melancholy magic': how Judi Dench and a host of stars came under the spell of the greatest comedy in history

Veteran Actor Jude Law Reveals What Shakespeare's Play Made Him Realize: 'I Was Born to Be an Actor'

A unique one-off event, The Twelfth Night Reunion, showcases the enduring magic of William Shakespeare's greatest comedy. Actors, including Sir Simon Callow and Dame Judi Dench, pay tribute to their experiences with the play, recalling the first moment they encountered it.

The reunion is like a lavish version of The Graham Norton Show, where actors reveal their personal connections to the play. They share stories about their time in rehearsals and performances, providing behind-the-scenes insights into one of Shakespeare's most celebrated works.

Stephen Fry, who played Malvolio in The Globe Theatre production, reminisces about his experience with the iconic character while also discussing the complex relationships between directors, actors, and the authorship of Shakespeare's plays. Fry acknowledges that working on the scene where Malvolio is imprisoned proved to be a challenge but was ultimately an unforgettable theatrical moment.

The Twelfth Night Reunion showcases the enduring power of comedy by exploring how its characters continue to captivate audiences long after they first stepped onto the stage. Even when actors faced difficulties with certain scenes, they found joy in their roles and came together as a cast to celebrate the play's timeless appeal.

A poignant conclusion to The Twelfth Night Reunion was reached when Judi Dench performed Viola's soliloquy about Olivia's realization of her love for another woman. The moving performance captured the pain of unrequited passion and deepened our understanding of Shakespeare's masterpiece, while also leaving us in awe of Dench's commanding presence on stage.

The reunion concludes with a heartfelt moment where all the actors join together to recite the final lines from the play: "A great while ago the world began / With hey-ho, the wind and the rain / But that's all one, our play is done / And we'll strive to please you every day." The emotional delivery of these words made it clear why this play remains an enduring favorite among audiences.
 
🌟 "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" 💫 - Eleanor Roosevelt. I think what's so amazing about events like The Twelfth Night Reunion is how they bring people together and remind us that even after all these years, Shakespeare's works still have a special power to captivate us. It's beautiful to see actors who've played iconic roles share their experiences and insights, it really makes you appreciate the craft of acting and the magic of live theatre 🎭
 
I'm loving how Shakespeare's Twelfth Night Reunion is like a big ol' group hug for the cast and crew 🤗! It's amazing to see all those talented actors sharing their personal stories and experiences with the play. I mean, who wouldn't want to hear about Stephen Fry's struggles with Malvolio or Judi Dench's powerful performance as Viola? 🤩 What I love most is how they're all coming together to celebrate the play's timeless magic ✨. It just goes to show that, even after all these years, comedy can still bring people together and make us laugh and cry at the same time 😂.
 
🤩 I mean, can you imagine not knowing if Shakespeare was even a real person? 🙃 Like, is it possible that the guy just wrote all those plays and no one knows who he was? 😂 But for real though, The Twelfth Night Reunion sounds like an incredible experience. Seeing actors who've played those iconic roles come together to share their stories and memories... it's like a masterclass in acting 101 🎓. I love that Judi Dench brought the house down with her performance of Viola's soliloquy - she's just a legend on stage 💫. And can we talk about how beautiful it is when actors come together to celebrate the art they're passionate about? It's like, magic happens when people are doing what they love 🧙‍♀️.
 
Ugh I don't get what the big deal is about this reunion thing... Like, yeah I guess it's cool that they're reminiscing about their time playing Shakespeare's plays but it feels like we've all seen this before. The actors are just spouting off some generic stuff about how hard it was to play certain scenes and how great it felt to be on stage. Meanwhile, the real magic of Twelfth Night is lost in all these behind-the-scenes stories 🤷‍♂️. I mean, can we please focus on something more meaningful than just a bunch of actors talking about their feelings?
 
Ugh, I just love how they're making this whole Shakespeare reunion thing a super fancy event 🤩. Like, I get that it's cool for the actors and all, but can't we just watch some clips of their performances online or something? The idea of paying £50 to sit in a room with them is just crazy 🤑. And don't even get me started on how they're showcasing it like a "magical" experience... I mean, I've seen plenty of magic happen when I'm stuck scrolling through the site's slow loading screens 😴. At least make it free and we can all enjoy it together?
 
🤔 I love how Sir Simon Callow always brings a bit of whimsy to his performances 🎭. Jude Law's admission about being born to be an actor is pretty obvious, but it's still nice to see him acknowledge that talent can't be forced 🔥. Judi Dench, on the other hand, always gives me chills 😍. Her presence on stage is electric 💡. It's also refreshing to see these actors talk about their experiences with The Twelfth Night Reunion without the pretentiousness 🙅‍♂️. All in all, it's a lovely tribute to Shakespeare's work that brings back some wonderful memories 🔥💫.
 
omg i'm beyond amazed by Judi Dench's performance of Viola's soliloquy!!! 🤩 she just owns that stage and brings so much depth to the character 💖 and omg Stephen Fry's insights about Malvolio are everything 💭 i love how they're all coming together to celebrate The Twelfth Night Reunion it's like a beautiful, joyful tapestry 🎨
 
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