Traditionally, the Twelfth Night falls either on January 5 or January 6, depending on when you start counting the 12 days of Christmas.

The day is part of Christian tradition, symbolising the end of Christmas and the beginning of the Epiphany. Most use the day as a trigger to take down their festive decorations, with it supposedly being bad luck to keep them up after the twelfth day of Christmas.

When the phrase is mentioned, however, people may feel that you are discussing the romantic comedy written by William Shakespeare.

The tale, believed to have been written in 1601 or 1602, was written as a form of entertainment to bring the Christmas celebrations to a close. The play focuses on the twins Viola and Sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck. Viola (who is disguised as Cesario) falls in love with the Duke Orsino, who in turn is in love with Countess Olivia. After meeting Viola, the Countess falls in love with her, thinking she is a man.

Throughout the years, a string of well-known actors and actresses have trodden the boards, playing characters in the story. Dame Judi Dench, the late Diana Rigg and Helena Bonham Carter have previously performed as Viola. Laurence Olivier, Patrick Stewart and Stephen Fry have all played Malvolio, a steward in Olivia’s household.

The play has also seen a series of adaptations across a variety of platforms.

There have been a number of musicals produced that are influenced by the story, including ‘All Shook Up’, which features the music of Elvis Presley.

The 2006 film ‘She’s the Man’, starring Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum, modernises the tale.

In 2016, the nation commemorated the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. Taking place on April 23, the date that is believed to have been the Bard’s birthday, events took place celebrating Shakespeare’s work. The Globe Theatre in London hosted a 2.5-mile course, called ‘The Complete Walk’, featuring 37 short films incorporating his work. The Theatre also treated then US President Barack Obama to a performance.

Today’s nostalgia section looks back on the many times Shakespeare’s work has been performed in North Cumbria and when the area has celebrated the playwright. See if you can recognise anyone in the images.