HEROINE and protagonist Viola of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is played by 15-year-old Charlotte Charteris.
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The performer has been involved in a number of Felt Tip Theatre productions.
“I’m pretty, well not bossy, I like to get things done – I’m not very whimsical, if I want something to happen I know how to get it done and Viola is pretty much the same,” Charlotte said.
The character of Viola is central to the play and is the fixture of unrequited love.
“Everyone seems to like her, she’s quite likeable, feminine, talkative – you're able to get to know her,” Charlotte said.
“She contrasts a lot with her brother Sebastian, she’s very logical and straightforward.
“She knows what she’s doing and where her mind should be, another character Olivia falls in love with her instantly as Cesario – because she’s not like other guys.”
Charlotte said she has always been interested in the work of Shakespeare, despite the fact many of her peers find it difficult to understand.
“I love Shakespeare, it’s so fascinating – I don’t understand how in his era he was able to come up with such amazing stories,” she said.
“All his words have hidden meanings, there’s so many different ways you could play it and still to this day people wonder what his words mean.”
Charlotte began taking acting seriously in Year 7 and has enjoyed playing roles in a number of Felt Tip Theatre Company productions.
“I’ve met so many different people and you experience them playing different characters – it’s cool to see their boundaries being tested and it’s pretty exciting,” she said.
Artistic director Alex Robson said Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare’s best, with the perfect balance between comedy and tragedy.
“For what’s a hilarious comedy, it’s a tear jerker,” he said.
“It’s the other side of love, it’s not all daylight and champagne as my character says.
“There’s this great sadness and emptiness as well when you don’t get what you want.”
Twelfth Night is the final performance by Felt Tip Theatre Company and will feature a host of regular cast members.