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 June 2005

Crowds of paparazzi massing on the pavement always signals a major theatrical event – and not always a good one. But there’s enough in David Lan’s 1940s updating of As You Like It, one of Shakespeare’s best-loved comedies, to entertain both the star-spotters and the cognoscenti.

In particular, there’s an outstanding Rosalind from Helen McCrory who plumbs real depths of feeling. When she cries, “you don’t know how many fathoms deep I am in love”, we may not actually know, but we have a damn good idea. Even better, despite these palpable emotions of a woman besotted, McCrory also manages to convey a roughness in her male disguise as Ganymede that suggests that her notion of masculinity is not all favourable.

McCrory’s Rosalind is matched by an Orlando from Dominic West who, for once, doesn’t seem like a goody-two-shoes. We sense the scale of his anger when he addresses his brother and can truly understand how he wins the unequal wrestling bout (t...

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Latest User Review

62.6.139.13) - 18 July 2005:

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....

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