Laurie Sansom Archives - North West End UK

26May

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

As You Like It – Liverpool Playhouse

In their 30th anniversary production, Northern Broadsides, under the direction of Laurie Sansom, bring a bold approach to Shakespeare’s most musical and much-loved comedy. Unfortunately, we are met more with a misguided fantasy than a great production. In a stylish but stifling court, where the Duke (Tom Shaw) is all powerful and brute strength is championed over basic human decency, the high-spirited Rosalind (Em Williams) and devoted cousin Celia (Isobel Coward) are no longer welcome. When they escape into the forest in disguise, accompanied by Touchstone (Joe Morrow), they bump into the recent object of Rosalind’s affection, Orlando (Shaban Dar), who has fallen foul of Oliver (Aron Julius) but is supported by Adam (Claire Hackett), leading to an elaborate game of fluid identity wh...

As You Like It – Wilton’s Music Hall

As You Like It, thought to have been written in 1599, was historically never one of Shakespeare's most popular pieces, his tortured kings and princes apparently preferred by audiences and critics over his frolicksome pastorals. It has come to the fore in more recent years with multiple adaptations on stage, screen and even radio. Northern Broadsides' production focuses on the power of love coupled with the force of nature to change the world. So "All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players". Duke Frederick has exiled his older brother, Duke Senior, to usurp his duchy. Duke Senior's daughter, Rosalind, was permitted to remain in court but is then likewise exiled for reasons which are never entirely clear. She leaves with her cousin, Celia, and they disguise thems...

As You Like It – The Lowry

Consistently one of Shakespeare’s most frequently performed comedies, this 30th anniversary Northern Broadsides production of As You Like It, by its’ own admission, attempts to provide the audience with an opportunity to consider ‘the transformative power of love and the natural world’ and the ‘crazy power of love to change the world’. Presented Arena style, square rather than in the round, and using a collection of hat stands and what looked like my Nana’s washing line to create the magical Forest of Arden, designer E M Parry has success in creating their ‘Narnia- like’ giant dressing up box in which the cast of 12 Northern actors were able to play. From naff shell suits to gorgeously coloured gypsy skirts, rigid bone corsets to shiny superhero capes and anything in between that glitte...