I Like It!

Susannah Van Den Berg, Duncan Wisbey. Photo (c) Marc Brenner.

As You Like It by William Shakespeare, Royal Shakespeare Company, The Holloway Garden Theatre, Stratford Upon Avon until August.  Director: Brendan O'Hea. 

Review by Ann Cee.

What's not to like about this 90-minute, open air shake up of that Shakespearean classic 'As you like it'? Of course we all know from the start that the noble youth Orlando (adorable, velvet voiced, Luke Brady) and delightful, noble woman Rosalind (fabulous, adaptable, Letty Thomas) will fall in love and marry, as will a number of others after their brief sojourn in the Forest of Arden.  But we've probably never had the tale told with the help of saxophones and trombones, to name but two of the instruments the talented ensemble turned their hand to. 

The Company of As You Like It. Photo (c) Marc Brenner.

With voices raised in party and in lament, this cast knew how to turn up the volume and engage the crowd. Susannah van den Berg put in an incredible performance in her male and female characters (Le Beau and Audrey) and was a peach on the clarinet - great charisma and comedy style.

I also enjoyed Duncan Wisbey's take on Touchstone and a Fool and Christina Tedders as Celia (though the symbolism of the wheelie suitcases was lost on me!)This 5 o clock show was performed in the Holloway Garden outdoor venue which is only in its second year. 

Christina Tedders, Letty Thomas. Photo (c) Marc Brenner.

This summer only venue added a lovely novelty and open skied freedom that I felt brought a new dimension to this play, and created an opportunity for an effective 'grill' set that worked extremely well.  And every word could be clearly heard over the excellent, sound system, even when the neighbourhood swans were jostling with their mates just over the wall or the breeze was stirring the tree tops.

The RSC is doing so many engaging events, talks, exhibitions and plays to bring our heroic Bard closer to us, that it's hard to choose what to see next this summer.

Tickets and events available from rsc.org.uk