Shakespeare served straight and in a musical updating

Bell Shakespeare presents William Shakespeare’s comedy about love and secret identities. Viola is shipwrecked and believes her twin Sebastian lost to the ocean. Washed up in a strange new land, determined to survive, Viola disguises herself as a man named Cesario and finds work with Duke Orsino, only to fall head over heels in love with him. But Orsino is in love with Olivia, who – grieving for her brother – refuses all offers of romance – until she meets Cesario. A whirlwind of passion ensues, leaving no one unaffected, not even Olivia’s prudish housekeeper Malvolia. It’s on at the Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre from October 13 to 21, various dates and times. See: canberratheatrecentre.com.au