William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”

August 8-23 at Bloedel Reserve

Directed by Elizabeth Allum

All performances take place at 7pm. Read more about attending this event in our FAQs below. Special Pay-What-You-Will performance on August 12!

Set in the curious, sun-drenched world of Illyria, a place where logic loosens its grip and desire refuses to stay in neat boxes, Twelfth Night unfolds as one of Shakespeare’s most exquisitely constructed comedies. At its heart is a story that explores gender constructs, the gap between who we are and how we are seen, and the porous boundaries between friendship, attraction, and love.

By turns riotously funny and quietly aching, Twelfth Night balances farce with emotional depth, and presents its audience with a play in which perception is thrown delightfully off balance, love and desire are allowed to move in unexpected directions, and everyone becomes just a little bit undone.

Great for teens and adults; family-friendly, with Shakespeare’s language made welcoming for devoted Shakespeare lovers and first-time audiences alike.

About Twelfth Night

After surviving a shipwreck, twins Viola and Sebastian are separated, each believing the other lost. Alone in the unfamiliar world of Illyria, Viola makes a bold choice: she disguises herself as a young man, Cesario, and enters the service of Duke Orsino. What begins as self-protection quickly becomes a complicated experiment in identity. Orsino confides in Cesario with an intimacy he offers no one else, while Viola, living between genders, finds herself falling deeply in love with him.

Orsino sends Cesario to relay his affections to Olivia, a woman committed to mourning and resistant to conventional romance. Instead of responding to Orsino’s grand declarations of love, Olivia is drawn to the disguised Viola. Viola, trapped inside a role she can neither fully inhabit nor abandon, becomes one third of a love triangle built on sincerity and misunderstanding in equal measure.

Meanwhile, Olivia’s household spirals into its own chaos. Sir Toby Belch, delighting in excess and disruption, conspires with others to humiliate Malvolio, Olivia’s steward, whose secret affection for her fuels both his ambition and his downfall. Their cruel prank exposes not just Malvolio’s vanity, but the dangers of enforcing moral order without compassion.

Sebastian, rescued by the devoted Antonio, arrives in Illyria carrying his own unspoken tensions and loyalties, their relationship marked by a closeness that resists easy definition. A cascade of mistaken identities follows, revealing how fragile perception can be. When the twins are finally reunited, the illusions collapse, and truth emerges.

FAQs for Attending a Show at Bloedel

Where is the performance?

Performances take place at Bloedel Reserve, located at 7571 NE Dolphin Drive on Bainbridge Island. The production takes place in near the Sheep Sheds a short walk into the Reserve from the parking area.

What time should I arrive?

Please plan to arrive between 6:00 PM and 6:45 PM to allow time to find parking, walk to the performance area, and claim your seating area before the show starts at 7:00PM. Parking attendants will help guide you when you arrive.

Can I walk through the Reserve before the show?

Yes, if you wish to walk the reserve prior to the performance, you’ll need to buy a separate ticket through Bloedel Reserve’s website, and arrive at an earlier time. Please visit bloedelreserve.org/tickets to book a visit earlier in the day.

What kind of seating should I bring?

We recommend bringing a low lawn chair or a blanket if you’d like to sit close to the front. Low lawn chairs go behind the blankets, and regular-height chairs will be placed toward the back so everyone has a good view. Seating is managed on a first-come-first-served basis, and ushers will help you get settled when you arrive.

Is the area accessible if I have limited mobility?

While there’s no ADA parking near the performance area, a shuttle service that transports patrons from the parking lot to the performance area is available for those who need it. Please note, there will be no shuttle service available on August 8th. Please let us know whether you will need to make use of the shuttle service during the ticket purchase process.

Can I bring food or drinks?

You’re welcome to bring a picnic, however, please note that you are not permitted to bring alcohol to this event. Bloedel Reserve staff will be on hand to help ensure all guidelines are followed.

What if it rains?

The show will proceed in the event of light rain, so it’s a good idea to bring layers and dress warmly. If inclement weather becomes too problematic, the production team may decide to cancel for safety reasons. If that happens, we will assist in reserving tickets to another performance on a different night, or issuing a refund.

What else should I know?

No smoking or pets are allowed Bloedel Reserve or at this event, though service animals are always welcome. We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable experience, and appreciate your help in respecting the Reserve’s policies.

If you have further questions, please contact our Box Office at boxoffice@bainbridgeperformingarts.org.