As You Like It

Synopsis

Written around 1600 and set in two contrasting communities; city and forest. Rosalind and Celia have been banished from Court. In fear of their lives, they disguise themselves and seek sanctuary in the Forest of Arden. Amongst the magical and ancient boughs, Rosalind discovers her exiled father, uncovers various truths about herself and others...and falls helplessly in love. But in this earthly paradise nothing is quite what it seems: men do not always act like men, and women can be anything at all...Uplifting, awe-inspiring and immense fun, Shakespeare's wondrous comedy is a joyous celebration of the liberating power of love and the redeeming spirit of nature.

Our Review:

22 August 2005

NOTE: This review dates from August 2005 and this production's original run in Stratford-upon-Avon.

According to taste, As You Like It is either a sublime comedy - fast-paced, moving, at once accessible and enjoyable - or a work that has too much to say about what was once intimately interesting and now is not.

Unfortunately, I take the latter view. Admirers will no doubt find much entertainment in this, the final offering in the RSC’s season of Comedies, which is directed by Dominic Cooke with thought and dash. At the risk of derision though, I find this a ‘problem’ play and can only wave to fans across leagues of ocean.

All the usual elements of a Shakespearean comedy – flight from the city to the countryside, cross-dressing - are present and correct. What the play also has, though, is some of the most unfathomable and unfunny comedy - to these ears at least.

Music plays a large role in the play. Indeed, people have suggested <...

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Latest User Review

82.110.212.210) - 15 March 2006:

Having seen 3 of the 4 Comedies in the current season at the Novello I have to say how disappointed I was at this one. I accept that Shakespeare recycled his stories on a regular basis but do the RSC really need to recycle ways of staging plays? I don't feel that I have seen 3 plays - just one performed 3 times. I really wouldn't bother going to this one if I were you - not worth the ticket price....

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