HAVE a chuckle this summer as Dorchester Drama returns to the stage, this time with an evergreen Shakespeare comedy.

Like many of Shakespeare’s comedies Twelfth Night centres on mistaken identity. The leading character, Viola, is shipwrecked on the shores of Illyria where she loses contact with her twin brother, Sebastian, whom she believes to be dead.

Masquerading as a young page Cesario, she enters the service of Duke Orsino, who has convinced himself that he is in love with the bereaved Lady Olivia, who will have nothing to do with any suitors, the Duke included.

Orsino decides to use Cesario as an intermediary to tell Olivia about his love for her. Olivia, believing Viola to be a man, falls in love with this handsome and eloquent messenger. Viola, in turn, has fallen in love with the Duke, who also believes Viola is a man, and who regards her as his confidant.

The play is being directed by Anne Reeve, who was also at the helm of the drama successful productions of Treasure Island and A Christmas Carol.

She said: “Twelfth Night is a lively comedy that gives a great opportunity for the actors to explore physical comedy, coupled with Shakespeare’s clever word play.

“The play leads the audience to wonder what love is.”

The play’s large cast includes Emma Moran as Viola, Dee Thorne (Feste), Nick Heape (Duke Orsino) Simon Jackson (Malvolio) and James Cuthill (Sir Toby Belch) along with regulars Lee Stroud (Mistress Fabian), Jess Taylor (Olivia), Jonny White (Andrew Aquecheek) Laura Smith (Maria), Sam Kelly (Sebastian) and David Reeve (Antonio).

Much of the play is taken up with the comic subplot, in which the drunken Sir Toby Belch, another suitor Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Olivia’s servants Maria and Mistress Fabian and the fool Feste seek revenge against the pompous head steward Malvolio.

The sudden appearance of Sebastian adds to the confusion and comedy. All is eventually revealed in the final scene.

Alastair Simpson is musical director. Alastair is currently studying music at the Royal Hollaway, University of London and will be composing, arranging and performing the songs during the performance with small group of Elizabethan players.

You can see Twelfth Night at The Place with the Stage (formerly the Holy Trinity Parish Centre) in Culliford Road, Dorchester.

Performances are from July 19 to July 21 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £8 in advance, £9 on the door and £5 for under 18s. Advance tickets are available from Trinity’s Treats, Trinity Street, Dorchester and by phoning 01305 257694.

If it is a warm and sunny evening then the play will take place outside in the grounds of the hall.