Shakespeare’s timeless tale of unrequited love will be retold for romantic Wrexham cinema-goers on Valentine’s Night.
As part of its acclaimed Event Cinema programme the Odeon at Eagles Meadow is to screen a live version of the Bard’s Twelfth Night direct from the headquarters of the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon on the evening of Wednesday February 14.
And Odeon manager Andy Elvis says the cinema is delighted to be providing Wrexham audiences with the opportunity to enjoy such a prestigious piece of live theatre without having to travel out of town.
A glittering RSC cast, headed by Young Ones star Adrian Edmondson and Kara Tointon whose credits include ITV’s Mr Selfridge and Sound of Music Live, are currently staging the iconic play to rave reviews at Stratford.
And, as part of its 2018 Event Cinema programme the play will be beamed direct to the Odeon Eagles Meadow for one night only.
Christopher Luscombe, director of the ‘glorious’ (Daily Telegraph) Love’s Labour’s Lost and Much Ado About Nothing (2014 and 2016), has returned to the RSC to tackle what is acknowledged to be Shakespeare’s greatest comedy.
Twelfth Night, once described as a brilliantly bittersweet account of ‘the whirligig of time’, is both hilarious and heartbreaking and tells the story of twins who are separated in a shipwreck then forced to fend for themselves in a strange land.
The first twin, Viola, falls in love with Orsino, who dotes on OIivia, who falls for Viola but is idolised by Malvolio. Enter Sebastian, who is the spitting image of his twin sister.
Adrian Edmondson takes the role of Malvolio and Kara Tointon plays Olivia.
Top theatre critics have heaped praise on the production, with the Times saying of it: “If music be the food of love, get ready to lick your lips: Christopher Luscombe’s RSC production of Shakespeare’s melancholy comedy sounds – and looks – sumptuous. Lavishly designed with a lush, romantic score, and stuffed with smart ideas. The wealth of detail is richly rewarding”.
And the Sunday Mirror said: “Adrian Edmondson brings a hilarity beyond The Young Ones, with darker intent too”.
Odeon manager Andy Elvis said: “As part of our Event Cinema programme we’re offering local audiences a very full and varied package of special screenings this year.
“Twelfth Night, which I know has been a major critical hit at Stratford, follows on from the Bolshoi Ballet’s The Nutcracker which was very well received when we featured it over Christmas.
“We use the very latest high-tech equipment for the special screenings, including a satellite on the roof of the cinema, which gives us the very best quality images.
“We’re delighted to bring this programme of exceptional events to our audiences as it’s a much cheaper and convenient way of allowing people to see a range of first-class ballets, operas and live performances without them having to travel to London or Stratford.
“We’re looking forward to presenting Twelfth Night – appropriately as it’s a love story on Valentine’s Night – and future screenings all of which should prove extremely popular with cinema-goers.”
The Odeon’s Event Cinema programme continues in February with National Theatre Live’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof on Thursday February 22, the Met Opera’s production of La Boheme on Saturday February 24 and The Winter’s Tale by the Royal Ballet on Wednesday February 28.
The following month will see Carmen screened from the Royal Opera House on Tuesday March 6 and the Met Opera’s Semiramide on Saturday March 10.
To find out more about Odeon’s Event Cinema productions go to www.odeon.co.uk/eventcinema Or drop in to see the team at the Eagles Meadow Odeon.
