As You Like it Reviews

Andrew Aguecheek from London, England

THE GLOBE DOING WHAT THE GLOBE DOES BRILIANTLY

If you are looking for strict adherence to the text The Globe is not your reading room, I love that there are modern songs and phrases added, this is how the play would be if Shakespeare was here to present it. He used contemporary phrasing and so does the Globe.

Tina van Tricht from London, England

YES I LIKED IT!

This production gave me a taste of the energy and ribaldry I think we would have experienced in Shakespeare's day. I enjoyed the musical numbers which added to the sense of fun - a true comedy.

Eleanor Holloway from Ascot, England

ROSALIND: A STAND OUT CHARISMATIC WONDER

This is a light-hearted (it is a comedy) romp in the forest. Both Celia and Rosalind were excellent together and held the play for a few of the others - the fool had such a strong accent and glib delivery that I lost the best of her repartee. Poor excellent Phoebe’s admirer was so limp with such a tiny inaudible voice that I felt sorry for her for being stuck with him at the end. The music was superb using modern songs in a way I’m sure Shakespeare would have loved. The queer theme gave the mystery of he woods an added warmth. But Rosalind, with her athletic grace, wonderful facial acting and witty, flirtatious elegance completely stole the show. I will certainly go to anything else she is in! A very enjoyable evening.

J from London, England

DON'T LISTEN TO ANYONE BUT ME

People who think the casting of this interpretation is "important" are wrong. People complaining of "poor projection" are wrong. People complaining of poor acting saw an entirely different play. Save a few cuts that are a little baffling (at least to one who knows the drama quite well), this energetic production makes phenomenal use of the space, its cast, and the very conventions of the theater. To those complaining that it's "too musical"—you did know AYLI has a TON of songs in it, right? Does it matter that they're contemporary pop songs? Shakespeare incorporated contemporary pop songs into his texts. It's why Amiens exists. I loved it and froze my butt off for it. You should, too!

Isabel from London, England

AS YOU LIKE IT- THE MUSICAL

This production is ideal entertainment if you like Shakespeare lite. The song and dance routines really get the audience going. If you were hoping to see a full length faithful rendition of the original play, it’s probably not for you. Some of the actors are outstanding with excellent delivery but one or two of the significant characters failed to project their voices sufficiently meaning the sense, dialogue and parts of the plot got lost. The audience however, appeared to remain fairly oblivious under Arden’s spell. Boys being girls doing girls like they’re boys is of course nothing new to the Shakespearean stage but always works particularly well in the comedies involving cross dressing as they often do. It is of course merely a question of “How” you like it - traditional, or in this case as it comes, with spicy sauce- fairly well done.

J.Beauchamp from Oxford

BELOW PAR

Three of us travelled from Oxford to see this production, hoping for an authentic and delightful afternoon of drama. Two actors stood out as being skilled performers (Nina Bowers and Macy Jacob Seelochan) but we couldn't hear the dialogue of two or three others. Their voice projection was very poor - maybe these actors are unused to performing in live theatre , 'in the round' ? Indeed, some of the acting felt as if we were watching an 'only-average' amateur production. We did appreciate the fluid genders on stage, however, and understood the importance of this interpretation.

Dave from London, England

NOT SHAKESPEARE

It's not authentic, it's not Shakespeare. Too diverse, ticking boxes its wrong! People go to the Globe to see Shakespeare's plays not to see something that may tick a box for a small minority of people. We also went to Macbeth & nearly walked out. I won't be returning to the Globe until they wake up.

J.Deanly from London, England

VERY DISAPPOINTING

This production was not as advertised. I am getting the impression that The Globe finds it impossible to do a traditional rendition of Shakespeare these days. I have been going to the Globe for many years and used to love it so it breaks my heart that I won’t be going again. Overall, the acting was poor and the modern singing and dancing was ridiculous! If I want to see a musical, I’ll go to the West End! Having actors playing the opposite gender in a play in which characters are disguised as the opposite sex was very confusing. I heard other members of the audience complaining and some walked out!

Andrew from London, England

AS YOU DONT LIKE IT !

A burlesque mockery of Shakespeare. Possibly the worst ‘ professional’ rendition of this play ever performed. The only Actor with a spark of life was Rosalind ; the others were either completely lacklustre or simply incapable of acting. The characterisation was hopeless and enunciation and projection of some of the voices barely audible from performers who really ought not to be putting themselves forward as actors. What a missed opportunity! It could have been so different, if more effort had been put into casting and direction, given the opportunity of presenting remarkable Shakespearean lines on a remarkable Shakespearean stage. The managers of the Globe need to be much more discerning when allowing such ‘amateur! productions to be performed on their world renowned stage ! To be avoided !

K Webb from London, England

UNDER WHELMING

I bought these tickets as a birthday present for my Mum. We have been to many Shakespeare plays at the Globe together and have always found them to be amazing. The price was more expensive that I had experienced in past years, but it is the Globe and I expect a good play. This was not that, I don't mind an alternative version of Shakespeare but not when it is filled with bad acting, poor singing (I would have preferred none) and an overall confusing play so different from the original. Really disappointing and I don't think I will be returning.

Brian A from London, England

DREADFUL AMATEUR MESS.

The gender fluidity was confusing but it was the dreadful acting of many members of the cast that made me walk out. Such production does nothing to promote inclusion unless standards are much higher than this mess.

M. Walters from London, England

AWFUL

Thought we were going to see a real Shakespearean play, especially as we were attending the Globe. Very disappointing modernised, hard to follow (but in the end didn't care) hybrid-woke version which I hope dies a rapid death. Singing detracted from a play that as I watched, I just wanted to finish. Saw a play at the RSC in Stratford earlier this year which knocked spots off this. Rather amateurish, poorly written and meaningless phrases were strewn above the action as well eg. ' There are more species of love than you know how to count'. Utter crap!

Jan and John Caldemeyer from London, England

TERRIBLY DISAPPOINTED

Familiar with Shakespeare and the play. Purchased the “ideal seats”. We were happy to pay the price because we expected (and assumed) that we would have a wonderful theater experience. We left before completion of the second act. We could not follow the dialogue because of the poor projection of the majority of actors on the stage. We expected more from the iconic Globe theater. We found ourselves longing for the Shakespeare productions we experience at home in Asheville’s amateur outdoor theater.

Eric Elliott from California, USA

WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT!

I was shocked by how slap-dash and amateurish this production was. I was expecting to be at least engaged by the intricacies of Shakespeare's plot combined with a gender-fluid cast, but this production seemed thrown together with no attempt at all to make any connection between the two. I am more than a little upset that we spent a lot of money and traveled all the way from California to see our first (and last) play in the Globe, and have it be, not just uninteresting, but outright irritating.

Patrick Gaul from San Francisco, California

A TRAVESTY!

This was our fourth visit to the Globe, and unfortunately, I’m afraid it will be our last! We are big fans of Shakespeare, good acting, and historical venues. Of these three, the Globe Theatre only qualifies as the latter! Of our four visits, the only one which met my expectations was the first, and that was not even a play, but simply a guided tour and a visit to the museum. The building itself, as a recreation of Shakespeare’s original, is a marvel. The collection of recreated Tudor era props and costumes is amazing! This production (and to a lesser degree the other two that we have seen) takes this rich setting and flushes it right down the loo. When I pay to see a Shakespeare play staged in the world’s most authentic recreation of his theatre, I expect a quality performance! Good (and authentic and complete!) costumes, great acting, and a presentation true to the Bards’ brilliance. This production had none of those, and was an insult to Shakespeare, and us, the hapless audience!

ZoeLily from London, England

LOST IN DISGUISE: A GLOBE GAFFE

Ah, the Globe! My usual haven for Shakespearean brilliance. But this rendition of 'As You Like It' left me scratching my head more than applauding. First off, the casting - our American lead seemed to channel more Hollywood glitz than Elizabethan grit, quite a contrast to her British co-stars, who tried to tug at our heartstrings. And the costumes? A merry mix-up of travesties, making a play already rich in disguise, doubly confusing. But the real curveball? Turning it into a musical - a bold move that didn't quite hit the mark. Some songs felt out of tune with the Bard's tone. Look, we all have off days, even the Globe. Still adore you, just hoping for a return to the classics next time.

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