Doing absolute justice to the title As You Like It, director Josie Rourke reinvigorates Shakespeare’s classic comedy making it inclusive, accessible, and thus relevant. In the Forest of Arden, characters explore possibilities of not just their individual pursuits but also by who has played them impregnating Shakespeare’s lines with multiple layers and meanings. It’s up to the audience to interpret how they like it! While certain parts are played by gender-fluid, non-binary, and trans performers, Celia is played by Rose Ayling-Ellis who is a deaf performer and Rosalind played by Leah Harvey use sign language to communicate. This production is elevated by how it celebrates its casts’ identities and uses them to theatrically add meaning and value to the play bringing it closer to a more real than a more ideal world. The fluid and smooth staging with the grand piano composed and played by Michael Bruce further adds to the lightness and playfulness of the play. Even Jaques’ (Martha Plimpton) melancholy is tender and grounded bringing richness to the piece.
Staged at the newly opened Soho Place, an in-the-round theatre, the space is used cleverly and creatively designed by Robert Jones. The grand piano descends to a pleasing height as the scene transforms to the Forest of Arden with dry confetti of leaves showering from the branches framed at the top, gently covering the floor. The performers interact and play with the pianist creating plenty of comic and affectionate moments. The subtitles flash on the screens above catering to audiences on all sides. The earlier part of the play resembles a sharp contrast in action and mood to the later parts played in the mystical forest- from a rather materialistic residence of Duke Fredrick to a welcoming and humble table of Duke Senior.
Brilliant performances by a stellar cast uplifted the show. Harvey plays an eloquent Rosalind, Ayling-Ellis’ expressive and exuberant persona lights the stage. The bond between the cousins is affectionate and heart-warming. Alfred Enoch’s Orlando is tender and love-struck. Plimpton’s rendition of Jaques adds wisdom and depth to the character. The famous “All the world’s a stage” is delivered as naturally as leaves dropping in autumn. While Tom Mison plays a wise fool, some moments missed hitting the humorous spot. The ensemble has delivered a stunning performance creating a unique niche and memory for each character on stage. No moment is redundant!
Gentle light washes designed by Howard Harrison supported the mood of the play. Dan Jackson’s music direction added a melodic and pleasant quality to the performances. The knitted costumes (Robert Jones and Poppy Hall) and chirpy wigs (Campbell Young Associates) are lively and animatedly used by the performers.
Delightful, tender, and lovely! This is a must-watch production running at Soho Place till 28th January 2023. https://sohoplace.org/whats-on/as-you-like-it
Reviewer: Khushboo Shah
Reviewed: 14th December 2022
North West End UK Rating: ★★★★