THEATER REVIEW / ‘TWELFTH NIGHT’ : Bard for Beginners : The Shakespeare in the Park production is short and sweet and adds a few twists to the tale.

“Twelfth Night” might be one of William Shakespeare’s funniest plays, and it’s certainly among the easiest for a novice to understand. The current Shakespeare in the Park production, touring Ventura County for the next month or so, takes that two steps further: The producers have furnished a synopsis, and the play clocks in at an easy-to-take two hours.

A young woman named Viola is rescued from a shipwreck and disguises herself as a boy named Cesario to ward off unseemly advances by the local men. Apprenticed to a nobleman, she soon falls in love with him--though it must remain unrequited, for she is afraid to reveal her true identity. Duke Orsinio, on the other hand, is sweet on the countess, Olivia, who falls for the Duke’s servant, “Cesario.” High jinks ensue. Into all of this fall several comic members of the court, as well as Viola’s twin brother, Sebastian, believed lost in the shipwreck.

Director David Ralphe’s cast is largely young and attractive, and has a good time with the play. Ralphe indulges in a couple of unconventional casting moves: The jester is played by a woman (Irene Silbert), and the comic Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Robert Perry) wears his hair in a spiky punk cut that must have taken up all the mousse in Illyria. Cheryl Mahar is a spunky Viola/Cesario, and handsome David Llauger and Brian LaSpada portray Orsinio and Sebastian, respectively. Rachel Babcock plays Countess Olivia.

A high point comes at the end of the first act, when Sir Toby Belch (Robert M. Grant), Aguecheek, jester Feste and Olivia’s maid (Jan Glasband) conspire against Olivia’s pompous steward, Malvolio (Michael Jordan). Turning themselves into the Elizabethan equivalents of Dick Clark and Ed McMahon, Belch and Aguecheek play a practical joke on Malvolio that keeps him in trouble until the end of the play.

The acting is adequate, though in Sunday night’s show, almost everybody spoke to the side or rear of the stage--anywhere except to the audience.

There is virtually no scenery in this production, a circumstance that actually helps move things along swiftly.

Costumes are colorful (though Malvolio’s yellow hose should be considerably more garish), and there’s quite a bit of music, performed by the cast during the play and intermission under the supervision of Irene Silbert. (Silbert plays the jester as a singer/guitarist somewhat like a 16th-Century Joan Baez.)

There’s better Shakespeare performed in Ventura County from time to time, and certainly worse.

This “Twelfth Night” has a lot to recommend it, though, and the price is certainly right.

* WHERE AND WHEN

“Twelfth Night” continues Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Borchard Amphitheater, 190 Reino Road, in Newbury Park; July 16 and 17 at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center; July 18 at 7 p.m. at Conejo Community Park, Dover and Hendrix avenues, Thousand Oaks; July 26 at the Arts Council Center, 482 Greenmeadow Drive, Thousand Oaks; and at other times and places to be announced. Admission to all the above performances except those in Simi Valley is free. For reservations to the Borchard Amphitheater or Arts Council Center shows or for further information, call (805) 499-4355.

CASTING CALLAUDITIONS

As the result of a change of directors, Camarillo Youth Theatre is holding new auditions for its upcoming production of “Robin Hood.” Aspiring participants should be between 6 and 21 years old. The company is looking for a Robin, Friar Tuck, Little John, King, Queen and Jester. Auditions will be held Saturday at the Camarillo Airport Theater, 330 Skyway Drive in Camarillo, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For further information, call director Jayme Housh at 985-0405.

The California Shakespeare Company is holding open auditions for its upcoming production of “Macbeth.” Casting will include 19 men and six women, ages 14 to 60, and the play will run Sept. 18 to Oct. 18. Auditions will be held Sunday, Aug. 2, at 4 p.m.; Monday, Aug. 3, and Tuesday, Aug. 4, both at 7:30 p.m. The company is located at 6685 Princeton Ave. in Moorpark. For further information, call 498-3354 or 373-9243.