Shakespeare 400 Chicago to Present Tim Crouch's I, MALVOLIO

On the occasion of the 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare's legacy in 2016, Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) welcomes one of Britain's most innovative and respected theater makers, Tim Crouch, in his inventive one-man show I, Malvolio as part of the Shakespeare 400 Chicago festival line-up. Following the international success of Crouch's I, Caliban, I, Peaseblossom and I, Banquo-a collection of plays shedding light on some of Shakespeare's more shadowy characters-I, Malvolio plucks the pompous steward out of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and unravels a hilarious and thought-provoking story of cruelty, self-hatred and revenge. Conceived, written and performed by Crouch and designed by Olivier Award-winner Graeme Gilmour, I, Malvolio is performed in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare for five performances only, June 2-5, 2016.

Reimagining the much-maligned steward pining for his mistress in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, I, Malvolio is a charged, hysterical and sometimes unsettling rant from a man adrift in front of a cruel audience. Crouch's Malvolio asks the audience to explore the delight we take in other people's suffering. Part clown, part theater-hating disciplinarian, Malvolio is ultimately a man sorely wronged. Both heart-breaking and ingenious with a crass sense of humor, I, Malvolio takes the audience on a one-hour ride, humanizing the character with raw honesty.

The Guardian gives I, Malvolio five stars-saying "Tim Crouch is at the top of his game, sharing a text that plays as much with intelligence as slapstick." The New York Times declares "I, Malvolio improbably finds its own delicate sweet (and sour) spot between comedy and self-subverting analysis." The Times (UK) praises "this is a treasure...Immaculate, moving, funny, wise." Crouch's Malvolio is described by the Scotland Herald as "a pompous ass who falls somewhere between the buffoonery of Boris Johnson, the absurdism of Vic Reeves and the misguided self-importance of the late Princess Diana's former butler Paul Burrell." The production has amused and affected audiences on stages around the globe in Sydney, Singapore and New York.

Described as "one of the smartest artists making theatre in Britain now" by Kulturflash, Tim Crouch is a multi-talented theater maker who writes, performs and produces new work. Crouch's work is noted for rejecting theatrical conventions and for engaging the audience in an active role during the performance. He has collaborated with some of the UK's finest theater companies, including the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, the Royal Court Theatre and the British Council. Currently, he is adapting and directing Spymonkey's highly anticipated premiere of The Complete Deaths, which will be presented by Chicago Shakespeare as part of Shakespeare 400 Chicago, November 30-December 11, 2016.

Performance Listing

Thursday, June 2 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, June 3 - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 4 - 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 5 - 2:00 p.m.

For more information about the production, visit www.chicagoshakes.com/malvolio.

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