Review: AS YOU LIKE IT, RSC - Stratford-upon-Avon
Photo credit: Marc Brenner
The new RSC production of As You Like It, staged on the temporary outdoor Holloway Garden Theatre, alongside the main house and the Swan Theatre and of course the river Avon, is a stripped back version targeted at young families and casual tourists to Stratford-upon-Avon. As one of Shakespeare’s comedies, written in 1599, it is a tale of romantic entanglements set mainly in the Forest of Arden with a set of stock characters and despite the cuts in characters and lines in this version, it is a joyous amusing taster of Shakespeare’s work.
There are challenges with the uncertain English summer weather which threatens to dampen the lover’s ardour, and, on the afternoon we visited, an ankle injury to Luke Brady, playing Orlando, which restricted him to a chair stage left from where he delivered his lines (before facing off stage when not in a scene). This worked remarkably smoothly as a late change so that we clearly understood each interaction without the planned physical movement, although it did make the Act One wrestling scene with Charles (wonderfully enacted by Peter Dukes) comical as he brilliantly fought himself across the large stage! However, despite the outside location, the sound quality is excellent, and the cast diction clearer than we often experience in the main house. From the opening prologue explaining the injury, and musical introduction with the actor musicians, there is a joy in the shared experience of watching the cast performing in daylight which reinforces the theatricality of the play and its famous lines that “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women are merely players.”
The central character, Rosalind, is played beautifully by Letty Thomas, who orchestrates the relationships while in disguise as a man, Ganymede, although we have to suspend our disbelief that no one can see through her thin disguise. Her relationship with Celia, played by Christina Tedders, is charmingly played and a lively portrayal of a pampered Duke’s daughter. Chris Nayak doubles up as the villain of the piece Duke Frederick, and the simple Shepherd Silvius, creating a good contrast. Natasha Magigi doubles up as the attendant, Amiens and Phoebe the shepherdess with great stage presence in both characters. Trevor Fox doubles up as Jacques, making the famous “All the world” speech and in contrast, the foolish William, though his first entrance from a seat in the audience is telegraphed from the start when he takes up his seat with his distinctive look. Susannah Van Den Berg plays Le Beau, the officious court attendant and Audrey, a lonely goatherd. Ned Derrington plays Oliver, Orlando’s wicked brother, and then Corin, a shepherd. Each provides an opportunity for the actors to create opposing caricatures reinforcing the theatricality. Duncan Wisbey has great fun in the comic role of Touchstone with his exaggerated looks and grimaces, leaving us in no doubt that he is the clown of the piece.
Director Brendan O’Hea keeps the action flowing and while we may miss exactly who some characters are in the rush and cutting of lines, it is played with such enthusiasm and energy that it sweeps us along, with delightful musical interludes and very well-spoken lines. Every now and then a famous phrase pops up like “motley fool”, “ under the greenwood tree”, and “forever and a day”, reminding us of Shakespeare’s long-lasting contribution to the English language and phrases and hopefully in this lovely setting, with shortened running time, teaching a new generation to appreciate the quality of his writing . This is what the RSC should be doing keeping the Bard’s work alive and fresh so new audiences can appreciate the influence that his works have had over 425 years in a way that accessible and joyous. On a sunny day in Stratford upon Avon, that is exactly what this lovely cast do.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Nick Wayne
As You Like It plays at the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon until 1 September, with further info here.