CBeebies stars take to the stage for new Twelfth Night adaptation

CBeebies stars Maddie Moate, Justin Fletcher and Steven Kynman take centre stage in the new Twelfth Night adaptation

Following BBC Children’s success in bringing Shakespeare to life for little ones across the UK, CBeebies is back with its special adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night live at Shakespeare’s Globe. Family favourites Maddie Moate, Justin Fletcher and Steven Kynman are set to steal the show.

BBC CBeebies has a proud history of making Shakespeare accessible and entertaining for children, with successful adaptations of The Tempest, Midsummer’s Night Dream and Romeo and Juliet. Its latest adaptation of As You Like It, starring Justin Fletcher and Andy Day, is currently available on BBC iPlayer.

Now, preschool children and parents will experience the magic of Illyria brought to life in the iconic open-air Globe Theatre, and join their favourites in this tale of love, mistaken identity and comedy.

BAFTA-winning CBeebies presenter Maddie Moate, best known for CBeebies ‘Maddie Do You Know?’, turns up to Shakespeare’s Globe for an interview as a tour guide and bumps into Mr Shakespeare - played by Steven Kynman (Hey Duggee, Go Jetters and Octonauts) - and some of his players. Maddie is brimming with facts and figures because she believes that is what a great tour guide needs,  but Mr Shakespeare suggests that there is more to the Globe than dates and facts; it is a magical place that creates all manner of feelings and emotions. He suggests Maddie watch his new play Twelfth Night to see what he means…

Other cast highlights include Sid Sagar (Belfast, Cruella, The Batman) as Sebastian, James Mackenzie (Raven, Molly and Mack) as Orsino and Tony Jayawardena (Bend It Like Beckham the Musical, Ackley Bridge) as Sir Toby.

The full cast includes plenty of CBeebies most loved stars, with Puja Panchkoty as Viola, Jennie Dale as Maria, Gemma Hunt as Valentine, Nigel Clarke as Officer of the Law, Rebecca Keatley as Sea Captain and Evie Pickerill as Priest, alongside Jacoba Williams as Olivia and Anna Soden as Feste.

Twelfth Night for BBC CBeebies is made by BBC Kids & Family Productions, a division of BBC Studios Productions. It was commissioned by Kate Morton, Head of Commissioning and Acquisitions 0-6 and is Exec Produced by Anna Perowne.

Performances will take place at Shakespeare’s Globe on 30 and 31 May 2023, and tickets are available at www.shakespearesglobe.com. The show will then air on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer in 2024.

Maddie Moate said: “There’s so much fun to be had for all of the family in this special CBeebies adaptation of Twelfth Night! I’m excited to take to the iconic Globe stage with a brilliant cast and bring the magic of Shakespeare to life.”

Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children’s and Education, said: “Making the arts accessible and entertaining for our young audience is a real passion of BBC Children’s, and what better way to do that than by partnering with the iconic British institution that is Shakespeare’s Globe. Families across the UK will be able to join their favourite CBeebies stars in a special adaptation that combines laughter, song and audience participation - in person, or from the comfort of their own homes on BBC iPlayer later next year.”