Twelve Days of Christmas: Day #12

The tinsel is coming down, the baubles are being wrapped away for another year and my series of theatrical offerings is at an end. For my last gift on this, the twelfth day of Christmas, it would be a missed opportunity not to make a glaringly obvious Twelfth Night reference. So I have predictably turned to Shakespeare for inspiration and today's focus is the National Theatre's upcoming production of the Bard's comedy.

This production, running from 11 January, is particularly special as it marks the recent 80th birthday of Peter Hall, one of the country's great directors, the creator of the Royal Shakespeare Company and former director of the National Theatre. As well as celebrating his 80th birthday and his return to the National Theatre, the production will see Peter Hall directing his daughter Rebecca in the role of Viola.

The Independent ran a special feature in celebration of Hall's 80th birthday back in November, which is my final treat for theatre lovers. The article, written by fellow director Richard Eyre, discusses Hall's long career, his achievements with the RSC and his continuing appetite for work. There are also comments from the likes of Judi Dench (who was reunited with Hall last year for an excellent production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Kingston's Rose Theatre, one of my theatrical highlights of 2010), Ian McKellen and Timothy West about the great man and his work.

I hope that you have enjoyed my twelve days of theatrical treats and ramblings. Keep reading the blog for many more fun features and theatre reviews throughout 2011 - it's going to be an exciting year.