Shipwrecked and fearing her twin brother dead, Viola is swept onto the shores of Illyria. Identical twins Viola and Sebastian are shipwrecked and separated in Illyria, each thinking the other dead. Viola disguises herself as a boy, Cesario, to go into the service of Duke Orsino, becoming his romantic go between with Olivia. But Olivia only has eyes for Cesario, while Cesario, who is really Viola, fall for Orsino. When Sebastian arrives at court, everything gets very confusing.

Derek Jacobi plays Malvolio in Shakespeare's romantic comedy of mistaken identity, infatuation and broken hearts. Jacobi has previously worked with director Michael Grandage on Don Carlos, The Tempest and Hollow Crown.