Twelfth Night (1988 film)

Twelfth Night, or, What You Will is a videotaped 1988 television adaptation of Kenneth Branagh's stage production for the Renaissance Theatre Company of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night first broadcast in the UK by Channel 4 on 30 December 1988.^[1] Made by Thames Television in collaboration with Renaissance, it stars Frances Barber as Viola and Richard Briers as Malvolio. The recording was shot on a single set with the appearance of a wintry garden. The costumes are Victorian, and the time of year is Christmas.

Twelfth Night
Written by	William Shakespeare (original play)
Directed by	Paul Kafno (television) Kenneth Branagh (original stage production)
Starring	Frances Barber Richard Briers
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language	English
Production
Producer	Paul Kafno
Running time	165 minutes
Original release
Network	Channel 4
Release	30 December 1988 (1988-12-30)

Cast

• Christopher Ravenscroft as Orsino
• Caroline Langrishe as Olivia
• James Saxon as Sir Toby Belch
• James Simmons as Sir Andrew Aguecheek
• Frances Barber as Viola
• Christopher Hollis as Sebastian and Curio
• Richard Briers as Malvolio
• Julian Gartside as Valentine
• Shaun Prendergast as Fabian
• Abigail McKern as Maria
• Tim Barker as the Sea Captain and Antonio
• Anton Lesser as Feste

Reception

Michael Brooke, in his piece for the BFI's Screenonline website, particularly commends Briers performance. His "Malvolio is a delight, segueing seamlessly from self-righteous pomposity at inappropriate revelry to truly grotesque self-delusion as he proffers love to his mistress while clad in yellow stockings".^[1]