A shipwrecked young woman disguised as a man becomes entangled in Illyria's webs of unrequited love and mistaken identity.
Viola is shipwrecked on the coast of Illyria and, believing her twin brother Sebastian drowned, disguises herself as a young man named Cesario to enter the service of Duke Orsino. Orsino is deep in a self-indulgent love for the wealthy Countess Olivia, who has vowed to mourn her dead brother for seven years and will receive no suitors. Orsino sends his new page Cesario to plead his case to Olivia — and Olivia, immune to Orsino's suit, promptly falls in love with the messenger instead.
Viola, meanwhile, has fallen in love with Orsino, making her position as his envoy acutely painful. The comic subplot runs alongside this tangle of misdirected affections: Olivia's uncle Sir Toby Belch, his foolish companion Sir Andrew Aguecheek, the sharp-witted waiting-woman Maria, and the licensed fool Feste conspire to humiliate Olivia's pompous, self-loving steward Malvolio. A forged letter convinces Malvolio that Olivia loves him; he appears before her in yellow cross-gartered stockings, smiling grotesquely, and is swiftly locked up as a madman.
Sebastian, who did not drown, arrives in Illyria with the devoted sea captain Antonio. Mistaken for Cesario by everyone, Sebastian is accosted, betrothed, and married to Olivia in quick succession — none of which he fully understands but all of which he accepts with good grace. The resolution comes when Viola and Sebastian appear together: the twins are reunited, identities are restored, Orsino transfers his affections to Viola, and Olivia keeps her husband. Malvolio is released from his dark room, furious, and exits swearing revenge — the single sour note at the play's joyful close.
Select a scene to begin rehearsing
Select a character to read their biography, motivation and the scenes they appear in