Nunn’s Twelfth Night Masterpieces of the Drama Mr. Kott

Our Study of Nunn’s Twelfth Night… I. Advertising of the Film I. Advertising of the Film II. Heritage Film II. Heritage Film III. Nunn’s 12th Night as Heritage Film III. Nunn’s 12th Night as Heritage Film

I. Advertising… What do you think the image is portraying? What do you think the image is portraying? Is there anything that the director would be upset with? Is there anything that the director would be upset with?

Actually yes & no… OKAY: OKAY: –Love triangle, building used OKAY PROBLEM: PROBLEM: –“Wittier than The Birdcage and more fun than To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar.” –So what’s wrong with that? Well, a few things…

The problems… Refers to two movies released in the 90’s, which were part of the genre of Cross-Dressing Comedy. Refers to two movies released in the 90’s, which were part of the genre of Cross-Dressing Comedy. –Cross-Dressing Comedy involves are campy (effeminate in an exaggerated way), farcical (ridiculous situations and actions), and transgressive (breaking social rules. This type of genre usually deals with male cross- dressing, and not female. This type of genre usually deals with male cross- dressing, and not female. Nunn’s 12 th … nothing like them in tone or subject matter--- fits better into the genre of… Nunn’s 12 th … nothing like them in tone or subject matter--- fits better into the genre of…

Heritage Film… Realistic film projects nostalgic, conservative vision of British national past as portrayed in the fictional works C & early 20C (Late Victorian & Edwardian eras) Realistic film projects nostalgic, conservative vision of British national past as portrayed in the fictional works C & early 20C (Late Victorian & Edwardian eras) British empire at its height, ruled 1/3 of the world, “sun never sets” British empire at its height, ruled 1/3 of the world, “sun never sets” Typical setting a country home, beautifully photographed in itself and in relation to landscape. Typical setting a country home, beautifully photographed in itself and in relation to landscape. “Heritage” can mean value sand traditions handed down from previous generations, but also refers to inherited property. “Heritage” can mean value sand traditions handed down from previous generations, but also refers to inherited property. Some examples… Some examples…

III. Nunn’s 12N as Heritage Film… A. Setting A. Setting –Time: 19 th Century (Costume) –Handout #1 –Major Differences between this and Cross-Dressing Comedy –The disguise of Viola and her transformation –Handout #2 –Another marker of the time… “Ginger in the Mouth” & India

III. Nunn’s 12N as Heritage Film… 2. Place 2. Place –Illyria (Imaginary) becomes Cornwall, southwestern coast of England--- filmed at six different properties, all owned by National Trust, which “works to preserve the coastline, countryside, and buildings of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.”

Olivia’s Estate… Lanhydrock

Orsino’s Castle… St. Michael’s Mount

B. Elite Vision… “Upstairs” & “Downstairs” “Upstairs” & “Downstairs” –Nunn seeks to emulate this aspect of the heritage film –National Trust brags of Lanhydrock, “The ultimate 19 th century ‘Upstairs/Downstairs’ experience. –Handout #3

C. Realistic Mode Presents fictional events as actions really could have happened– means presenting logical reasons for puzzling actions by characters, or making unlikely or coincidental events seem plausible by inventing additional circumstances that explain them. Presents fictional events as actions really could have happened– means presenting logical reasons for puzzling actions by characters, or making unlikely or coincidental events seem plausible by inventing additional circumstances that explain them.

Well then some questions… Why can’t anyone tell the twins apart? Why can’t anyone tell the twins apart? –Handout #4 –Handout #5 –Introduction –Antonio’s Love Why does Viola disguise herself as a man? Why does Viola disguise herself as a man? –The play never makes it clear why this is necessary –Film, creates a reason: Illyria and Messaline (twins’ home) is at war Illyria and Messaline (twins’ home) is at war Okay, so hide nationality, but why the gender? Nunn creates a reason, “No woman may approach his court.” How can Orsino simply shift his love from Olivia to Viola at the end of the play? How can Orsino simply shift his love from Olivia to Viola at the end of the play? –Orsino’s Character –Handout #6 –Shows developing of relationship over time

D. Conservatism Although the film flirts with the possibility of radical statements about gender and sexuality, pulls back at the end… Although the film flirts with the possibility of radical statements about gender and sexuality, pulls back at the end… 1. Antonio: 1. Antonio: –Happy at his reunification with Sebastian, but cannot share in the joy –Screenplay: “ANTONIO watches full of feeling, then lowers his eyes, realizing he alone does not partake of this resolution.” –Antonio grouped with other “outcasts” (Sir Andrew & Malvolio)

D. Conservatism 2. Orsino and Viola 2. Orsino and Viola –“Belie thy happy year” Male horseplay and boasting Male horseplay and boasting –Bathtub Scene… Orsino invites “touch” Orsino invites “touch” –“Come Away Death” Sung by Feste Sung by Feste Potential of a kiss, but the end of song startles them… Potential of a kiss, but the end of song startles them… –Cuts lines of “Cesario, dor so you shall be while you are a man,” in place of dancing conclusion.