Orsino, on the other hand, woos Countess Olivia, but is rejected by her because she is mourning her recently deceased brother. When the disguised Viola is sent to Olivia by her master as a messenger of love, the Countess’ facade collapses when she in turn falls in love with the Duke’s servant. The confusion that arises from this situation increases even further when Sebastian enters the stage of Illyria. And the members of Olivia’s household also contribute heavily to the game of confusion by each pursuing their own unique goals.
What You Want, written around 1601/1602, is one of the highlights of William Shakespeare’s comedic work and at the same time marks the end point of his so-called ‘cheerful comedies’. In the piece he takes up many motifs that already played a role in his earlier works: the play with the genders, comedy of confusion, intrigue, romance, bawdy antics and polished wit. In What You Want, all of these motifs are simultaneously refracted ironically and melancholically, which gives the comedy additional depth and complexity and makes the play a masterpiece within Shakespeare’s dramatic oeuvre.
German translation by Jürgen Gosch and Angela Schanelec
Directed by Robin Telfer
Equipment Siegfried E. Mayer
Music Günter Lehr, David Leonard Neumann
Dramaturgy Luise Vollprecht
Viola Mona Georgia Müller
Olivia Maribel Tooth
Fool Roman Weltzien
Orsino Jan-Eric Meier
Sebastian/Valentine Edgar Sproß
Maria Anja Andersen Rüegg
Sir Tobi Christel Ortmann
Sir Andrew Stephan Korves
Malvolio Michael Rothmann
Antonio/Captain Boris Malré
Officer Thomas Picek, Klaus Kürschner
Piano, guitar, percussion David Leonard Neumann
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