“…the show made my week like lovely. I was just thinking about love and to be honest it is a big deal because after the show my thinking was even like different, I was like, ‘wow, love’. My week went really smoothly… it did something to me! It did something to me so I loved it...”
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On Tuesday 30th October, a 17-strong group of Routes women went to see ‘Twelfth Night’ at the Young Vic in London. Each one of these women had previously joined us for six of ten weekly theatre workshops, aimed at improving English language, increasing confidence and building new social connections.
At Routes we believe that doing theatre can be an incredible tool for achieving all of these things. But we also know how important witnessing theatre can be: the power of seeing yourself and your experiences played out in front of you; the joy of escapism; the gift of new, wider perspectives; the magic of being pulled into a story…
Kwame Kwei-Armah and Shaina Taub’s ‘Twelfth Night’ uplifted us, gave us hope, and made us laugh, sing and dance. We all left the theatre that night beaming.
At our workshop on Friday 2nd November, Routes’ co-founder, Daisy, interviewed eight women who attended the show, to find out what they loved so much. Below is a transcript of what was said.
Routes women review Twelfth Night
B: The show was amazing, particularly the ending, they make it look so real, like they fell in love and everything was OK at the end. I loved the chemistry between the actor and the actress was really real; they made me feel like at the end, OK there’s still hope for love, so I like that part. Their chemistry, working together, is amazing. So I like the whole show.
Daisy: How did the show make you feel?
R: Oh my god happy. The whole thing it’s funny; really nice love story. You know? It’s reality. Some people you love someone and they love somebody else, but in the end this one is happy.
I: I don’t remember, the… you know the funny one who comes in the stockings? Laughter. Malvolio? Malvolio, yeah! I really like him. His facial expression and his acting was so funny.
Laughter and chatter
I really like him and also all the funny parts. I really like it. It was like, you can’t even tell that time is flying; one and a half hours, it was like ten minutes.
R: I like the big guy!
A: Yeah! I like him as well!
Laughter
Daisy: And how did it make you feel, the play?
F: Breathtaking. I was just… I couldn’t think of any mistake. I thought everything was just conducted brilliantly. Excellent.
Daisy: Anyone else?
M: The whole performance are really great. It’s really... They done really, really well.
S: And also when Olivia got married with Sebastian! Laughter. It was so funny! And really nice, yeah.
L: It was first time for me. I saw…
Daisy: The first time you went to the theatre?
L: Yeah.
Daisy: What did you think about the experience?
L: It’s good!
D: Would you go back again?
L: Yes, of course. This is the first time all my life. Not… I didn’t ever go to the theatre in the past.
Daisy: Really? How many people it was their first time to the theatre?
A: Me!
S: In this country, yes.
L: Also in my country we didn’t have theatre.
Daisy: Does anyone have any final comments they want to make? Becky, What did you say to me when you came in today and I asked you how your week was?
B: I said the show made my week like lovely. I was just thinking about love and to be honest it is a big deal because after the show my thinking was even like different, I was like, ‘wow, love’.
Laughter
B: No to be honest my week went really smoothly. Even the next day I was like bang on dressed up, let’s go out and stuff. So yeah, it did something to me! It did something to me so I loved it.
I: Did you find love?!
B: Don’t worry about that…
Laughter