Reader Reviews
As You Like It (Wyndham's Theatre, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | I have somehow managed to avoid Shakespeare for most of my theatregoing life so some of this passed me by. However, it was an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon even if the quality of some of the acting was wildly varied. Fortunately the two leads were excellent even if it was impoosible to believe that Orlando could mistake Rosalind for a man. Sienna Miller was also very good and must have grown into her role since opening night. She managed to capture Celia's disbelief at her cousin's activities and there was a genuine chemistry between her and Helen McCrory. This may have been "gimmick" casting but she can really act so give her a chance. Unfortunately most of the supporting cast were pretty poor and Phoebe's bizarre accent was more French Caribbean than French. My other major problem was with the structure of the second half, which might not be the fault of this production. The sudden conversion of Orlando's brother (a lion in the Forest of Arden!) and the religious transformation of the evil duke were just too trite. I know it's a comedy but this turned it into something resembling a pantomime. However this is a good production, particularly for those who are not familiar with previous versions and might serve as a useful introduction to Shakespeare. I certainly will be prepared to try out more challenging productions in future. - 62.6.139.13) | 18 Jul 05 |
| Loved it, though didn't enjoy Reece Sheersmith as Jaques, but that's maybe just because he didn't fit my expectations of what the character should be. Thought all the others were excellent, even Sienna Miller, about whom I knew very little. The audience was much younger than usual for a Shakespeare production, most likely the result of her participation, but that's great, whatever brings the youngsters in! Very enjoyable. - 81.136.227.246) | 07 Jul 05 |
| A really mixed production, thanks to the motley crew of a cast. Brilliant Rosalind and Orlando, great design and music, but a Touchstone and Jacques who didn't seem to have a clue as to why they were in the play, and the worst Celia I've ever seen, who doesn't seem to understand that a crucial part of acting (especially in this part) is to LISTEN to what the other characters are saying. - 216.207.246.85) | 26 Jun 05 |
| A great example of what happens when the art of acting is given shrugging respect. Shades of Citizen Kane's 'opera'-singing wife darken this production. Having seen half of it, I can assure you that the excellent Ms. McRory isn't ill from the heat — she's sick of conscience for having been suckered into playing second-fiddle to the UK's version of Paris Hilton. Hope producers learn their lesson; but suspect that ticket sales will prove their crass greed to be correct. - 217.42.139.31) | 23 Jun 05 |
| This is a gorgeous production of one of the bard's most complex plays: in keeping with the chameleon nature of the text, one minute you are rocking with laughter, the next you are fighting back tears and the next after that, gasping in wonder. David Lan's 40s setting works brilliantly (Richard Jones's spare, beautiful design is a wonder), and I never expect to see a finewr Rosalind and Orlando than Helen McCrory and Samuel West. Sienna Miller proves herself an excellent, magnetic comic presence...more than can be said for Sean Hughes, the production's one weak link. The use of music is enchanting. All in all, one of the finest things in the West End. - 195.82.123.181) | 23 Jun 05 |
| Saw this on saturday, and I too, walked out during the interval. Partly because the theatre was too hot and partly because I just could not follow what was going on. Perhaps I'm a Shakespearean philistine, but I really enjoyed Midsummer Night's Dream at Regent's Park last year (my Shakespeare debut) and wanted to see more of his work. Maybe AYLI is for hardcore fans only?? - 81.139.80.244) | 23 Jun 05 |
| Saw it on the 14th - so another week till first night. Pretty strong, but uneven both in performance (Dominic West's bland Orlando was the main problem for me) and production (loved Act Two, only sporadically enjoyed Act One). The presentation of the court scenes is drab and confusing unless you know the play well. This is the third time I've seen AYLI on stage, and I still lost my way with some of it. Reece Shearsmith is fine as Jaques, making a great deal out of a nothing part. (Jaques is to Shakey's comedies what John of Gaunt is to his tragedies: one big speech and then you wonder what he's there for); Sean Hughes needs stronger visual gags to complement the relentless willy jokes; Sienna Miller passed unnoticed, which suited the role; Helen McCrory is a goddess of the stage. I enjoyed the swift return to the west end of some of the actor-musicians from John Doyle's Sweeney Todd. They and their colleagues, plus Richard Hudson's brilliantly witty designs, made the production for me. - 195.144.130.1) | 20 Jun 05 |
| Attended the WOS outing and had an absolutely wonderful time. This original and highly accessible production makes for an evening of sparkling wit and romance. The masterstroke of setting the action in 1940s Paris bathes the production in a glow of romance, which the fabulous music does all the more to sustain. The performances are wonderful, with Helen McCrory outstanding as per usual. I'm sure that she will command the same respect as Judy Dench as her career develops. Sienna Miller shows great promise in her West End debut, and the core friendship between the two female leads is very real and touching. The production has a great warmth which is infectious, and you cannot fail to leave without feeling well entertained. Not to be missed. - 212.85.1.201) | 18 Jun 05 |
| I went on the WOS Outing to this play last night and really loved it. Sienna Miller was very sweet - i was surprised to learn in the talk afterwards that it's the first time she's ever been on stage - Dominic West very engaging. but of the three principals, Helen McCrory was the best, positively outstanding. i really liked the music too and the tableaux moments and the climatic elements. It needs to tighten up a bit more before press night - and, on a bum note, Sean Hughes was surprisingly unfunny given that he's a Perrier winning comedian! - but it deserves to be a critical success. - 82.69.37.108) | 16 Jun 05 |
| Mixed views, really. The first half was very slow and didn't really hold my attention, but the second half was much better. There are lots of good things about it - a terrific central performance from Helen McCrory, the chemistry between her and Dominic West & Sienna Miller, very good performances from David Killick, Andrew Woodall, Nigel Richards and Clive Rowe, and the excellent music. Quite why Phoebe and Silvius are singled out for 'Allo Allo' faux French accents is beyond me. The design doesn't really help the play, which at times seems cramped and at times ramshackle. Maybe it will all come together by opening night - I hope so, because the seeds are there for a very good As You Like It indeed. - 81.134.165.4) | 16 Jun 05 |
| What a drab disservice to a great play I left at the interval but what i saw was enough to make my mind up that sean hughes is the worse piece of shakespeare casting ever. Sienna miller as ceilia underprojects and is dull as paint. Helen McCrory would have been worth waiting for the 2nd half for but the production played on bare boards in ugly drab 40's style has all the imagination of an eel. Reece Shearsmith & Clive Rowe are ok and the music is tuneful if samey but the whole thing at west end prices would be better suited to the local country rep.No sparkle no verve and definately Not As I liked it at all stay away! - 62.140.210.131) | 15 Jun 05 |
| Didnt like it at all,everyone over acts to high heaven Helen McCrory the worst culprit and its far too long at nearly 3 hours,the songs dont fit and the set is none existant,the most exciting part is when the doors open and you see outside which only made me wish I was sat out in the sunshine and not being bored to death in the most dirty and scruffy theatre in London. Sienna Miller is pleasing on the eye but thats about it. It was very full at a reduced preview and cant see it doing much business at £40 a pop!. Also avoid the front row as you may get injured as the wrestling spills over into the audience and I felt it was rather dangerous,hope they have good insurance!! - 195.93.21.101) | 12 Jun 05 |
