SOURCE: "Preface to Twelfth Night," in Prefaces to Shakespeare, Vol. VI, B. T. Batsford, 1974, pp. 26-32.

Granville-Barker was a noted actor, playwright, director, and critic who, in his productions of Shakespeare's plays, emphasized simplicity in staging, set design, and costume. In the following essay, originally published in 1912, he provides an account of how Twelfth Night should be staged and acted.

[Twelfth Night] is classed, as to the period of its writing, with Much Ado About Nothing, As You Like It, and Henry V. But however close in date, in spirit I am very sure it is far from them. I confess to liking those other three as little as any plays he ever wrote. I find them so stodgily good, even a little (dare one say it?) vulgar, the work of a successful man who is caring most for success. I can imagine the lovers of his work...