As You Like it
Back at the National for the first time in over 30 years.
As You Like it
Back at the National for the first time in over 30 years.
As You Like it
Back at the National for the first time in over 30 years.
Why see As You Like it?
ROSALIE CRAIG HEADS UP SHAKESPEARE'S ENDURING COMEDY
Stage favourite Rosalie Craig (The Light Princess, NT) heads up a talented cast in Shakespeare's comedy As You Like It, playing the lead role of Rosalind. One of Shakespeare's most enduring and popular comedies, As You Like it combines cross-dressing, satire and intellect in a story of love, justice and court life. Famed for originating the phrase "All the world's a stage", this is also a musical comedy, featuring more songs in this one work than the rest of the Bard's plays put together. This new production is helmed by Polly Findlay, and will also star Patsy Ferran ( Paul Chahidi and Mark Benton.
What is it about?
The play follows the heroine Rosalind, the daughter of an unjustly exiled duke, as she meets and falls in love with the wronged Orlando, a courtier who was driven from court by his cruel brother. She disguises herself as a boy and flees to her father in the Forest of Arden. As fate would have it, Orlando is there and she counsels him in the art of love whilst still maintaining her guise as "Ganymede".
However, there is a chink in the plan; a shepherdess called Phebe falls in love with "Ganymede" despite "he" showing no reciprocal interest whatsoever. To add to the confusion, Phebe has her own admirer in another man. How long can Rosalind keep up her guise? Will Orlando's brother ever see the error of his ways, as well as Rosalind usurping uncle?
Key Information
Audience
Suitable for most ages
Run Time
Three hours with interval
Dates
Finished 5 Mar 2016
Cast
Leon Annor
Philip Arditti
Joe Bannister
Mark Benton
Paul Chahidi
Jonathan Coote
Rosalie Craig
Jonathan Dryden Taylor
Fra Fee
Patsy Ferran
Hazel Gardner
Nathan Ives-Moiba
Ellie Kirk
Gemma Lawrence
Siobhan McSweeney
Ken Nwosu
Ekow Quartey
John Ramm
Jay Saighal
Alan Williams
Leo Wringer
Creative
Directed by Polly Findlay
Set Design by Lizzie Clachan
Costume Design by Christina Cunningham
Lighting Design by Jon Clark
Music by Orlando Gough
Movement Direction Jonathan Goddard
Sound Design by Carolyn Downing
Fight Direction Kate Waters
Reviews
Customer reviews
1 reviews, average rating: (1.5 Stars)
Andrew Aguecheek
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. ... Read more
J
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! ... Read more
Tina van Tricht
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. ... Read more
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