Philip Henslowe: Mr. Fennyman, allow me to explain about the theatre business. The natural condition is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster.

Hugh Fennyman: So what do we do?
Philip Henslowe: Nothing. Strangely enough, it all turns out well.
Hugh Fennyman: How?
Philip Henslowe: I don’t know. It’s a mystery.”

This bit of dialogue from “Shakespeare in Love” is recognizable throughout the theatrical world.  We’ve all been there.  Multiple times.  But, strangely enough, it all usually does turn out well.

Our Twelfth Night is a prime example.  Stuck in the middle of a very traumatic move from one site to another, bound by the need to build a new stage and theatre space, but completely hindered by bureaucracy and red tape, and then woefully understaffed and under-resourced on a technical front. . . . this show was bound for imminent disaster.

But, as will happen in the mysterious and mystical world that is theatre, this cast pulled it out and pulled it off.  Our audiences are steadily growing in our lush new venue in the Shaded Glen.  And they are walking away largely pleased by the show.  We’re getting repeat business from last year and, what’s more, for about half of our audiences this is their first experience with Shakespeare in Woodward Park.  For many it’s their first Shakespeare experience at all. . . and for some, probably their first theatrical experience.

So, apparently, all things considered, this Twelfth Night has been good for us in terms of audience growth and community satisfaction.  Could we do better?  Yes.  Always.  But this cast has got to be given kudos for sticking it out against great odds to achieve a lively little show.

We’re expecting capacity crowds for tonight’s closing, and expect audiences to be just as large– perhaps a bit larger– for Hamlet.

Richard Burbage: The Master of the Revels despises us all for vagrants and peddlers of bombast. . . We must show them that we are men of parts. Will Shakespeare has a play. I have a theatre. The Curtain is yours.

To the cast of Twelfth Night:  You have proven that you are men and women of parts.  Most exceptionally.  Woodward Shakespeare Festival sees all you have done and truly thanks you for it.

~WSF