There can be few finer settings in London for an evening of theatre than Kew Gardens. As families unpack picnics beneath magnificent specimen trees and the evening light softens across the landscape, it is easy to understand why the Australian Shakespeare Company’s annual Theatre on Kew residency has become one of the capital’s most treasured summer traditions. Watching Twelfth Night beneath an open sky, surrounded by one of the world’s most beautiful botanical gardens, feels wonderfully fitting for Shakespeare’s most joyous comedy.
Part of the company’s acclaimed Shakespeare Under the Stars series, this production, directed by Glenn Elston OAM, captures all the wit, warmth and glorious comic confusion that have made Twelfth Night one of Shakespeare’s most enduring plays. It is an intelligent, accessible interpretation that welcomes seasoned Shakespeare lovers and first-time audiences alike without ever compromising the richness of the original.
The story begins with twins Viola and Sebastian, separated by a shipwreck. Believing her brother to have drowned, Viola disguises herself as the young man Cesario in order to find employment with Duke Orsino. Orsino is hopelessly devoted to the Countess Olivia, who has sworn off love while mourning her brother. Inevitably, matters become deliciously complicated when Olivia falls not for Orsino but for Cesario, unaware that “he” is in fact Viola in disguise. Alongside the romantic entanglements runs one of Shakespeare’s finest comic subplots, as the pompous steward Malvolio becomes the victim of an elaborate practical joke orchestrated by Sir Toby Belch, Maria and their fellow conspirators.
I attended with my husband and our daughters, aged seven and nine. Shakespeare can sometimes seem an ambitious choice for younger audiences, yet this production quickly dispelled any concerns. The storytelling is exceptionally clear, the humour wonderfully physical, and the audience interaction keeps children thoroughly engaged while allowing the language to shine. Our daughters laughed throughout and remained completely absorbed until the final scene.
Louise Hoare makes an engaging Viola, bringing warmth, intelligence and quiet resilience to the role, while Hugh Sexton’s Duke Orsino perfectly captures the melodramatic lovesickness of a man convinced nobody has ever suffered quite so deeply. Nicole Nabout gives Olivia both dignity and wit, making her increasingly improbable attraction to Cesario entirely believable.
The comic ensemble, however, is where the production truly comes into its own. Jackson McGovern is superb as the irrepressible Sir Toby Belch, exuding boundless energy without ever tipping into caricature. Tony Rive’s gloriously hapless Sir Andrew Aguecheek provides an ideal comic foil, while Monica Nash’s sharp, mischievous Maria quietly orchestrates much of the ensuing chaos. Maverick Newman’s wonderfully pompous Malvolio delivers some of the evening’s biggest laughs, particularly during the famous yellow stockings sequence, balancing self-importance with impeccable comic timing. Alex Cooper also impresses as Feste, whose music and observations gently remind us that beneath the farce lies a thoughtful meditation on love, identity and self-discovery. Scott Middleton is an assured Sebastian, while Larissa Teale, Oliver Byng and the supporting company ensure the production never loses momentum.
What makes Theatre on Kew so distinctive is the way the productions embrace their surroundings rather than compete with them. Birdsong and butterflies drift through the dialogue, gentle evening breezes catch the costumes, and as daylight gradually fades into dusk the gardens themselves seem to become part of the set. It is a theatrical experience that simply cannot be recreated indoors.
As darkness settles over Kew and the final scenes unfold beneath its ancient trees, the magic of outdoor theatre becomes unmistakable. The Australian Shakespeare Company has once again demonstrated why its annual residency is one of London’s cultural highlights each summer. Beautifully acted, consistently funny and performed in an unforgettable setting, Twelfth Night offers everything one could hope for from an evening of Shakespeare under the stars.
Twelfth Night
Theatre on Kew, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew until 30 August 2026
Running time: Approximately 2 hours including interval
Suitable for: Families, Shakespeare enthusiasts and anyone looking for one of London’s most picturesque outdoor theatre experiences. Picnics are positively encouraged.
