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:

18 January 2011

While this is often presented as jolly romp, Michael Boyd's production, which has transferred from the Courtyard to the Roundhouse, has drawn out many of the darker elements of the play. Neither Duke Frederick's court, where genteel manners mask an oppressive regime nor the exiled Duke's sylvan life, where erstwhile courtiers shiver from the cold, are seen as earthly paradises and there's a grimness behind the humour.

The highlight of the production was undoubtedly the interplay between Katy Stephens' outstanding Rosalind and Mariah Gale's Celia. Stephens invests Rosalind with a swagger and a deep sexual yearning for Orlando, really exploring the power of her male identity. I was reminded of the way that Brecht's Shen-Te becomes a different person in her mail guise and similarly Stephens has joyfully seized the opportunity to explore all aspects of her passion. The culmination of this journey was that, instead of the usual epilogue, she sings an unaccompanied song, as if s...

Read more of the review

Latest User Review

Jayne - 20 January 2011:

I would definitely recommend this RSC version of As You Like It. Orlando certainly wasn't 'colourless'. Jonjo O'Neill is a hugely talented actor who has shown a depth of character (in all his Ensemble roles) and together with the wonderfully talented Katy Stephens, they play superb roles in a wonderful production. Rickard Katz as Touchstone provides the right amount of humour together with Forbes Masson who is completely right for the role of Jaques. ...

Read more and add your own review