One of Shakespeare’s classic comedies re-told and re-imagined for the Harborough stage. When Duke Senior is exiled to the Forest of Arden, his daughter Rosalind and her cousin Celia soon follow. In true Shakespearean style, there are disguises, misunderstandings and emotional reunions.
Coping with a heatwave and Shakespeare is a bit of a double whammy for some us, but hats off to Harborough Theatre for pulling out all the stops to convey the story of the Bard’s popular As You Like It. Director Jan Wilson drilled this huge and capable cast of 15 so that you could almost feel their determination to draw their audience in.
It’s described as one of Shakespeare’s ‘more accessible’ comedies. Well, I’m not sure about that. Space restriction prevents a full explanation, but it’s basically about people falling in love, others hating each other, girl pretends to be boy, etc. Suffice to say they end up having a mass woodland wedding and everybody’s happy.
Again sadly, space prevents naming the complete, talented cast, but Alison Kennerdell and Kyle Newman were outstanding as cousins and besties Rosalind and Celia. Natural and amusing with great audience communication. Dan Creedon as Orlando with the hots for Rosalind, is the hero of the piece and his placid, gentle nature was beautifully played and paced.
The mix of modern and traditional costumes worked well – each outfit expressing the character. My favourite was the colourful jester Touchstone, energetically played by Steve Wilson. Michael Dray’s characterisations of warring brothers Duke Frederick (the bad) and Senior (the good) was splendid.
The whole piece was set in the Forest of Arden – represented by a beautiful set.
I admit to not being a Shakespeare fan and I did ‘lose the plot’ at times, but an interesting end to the theatre’s current season.
— Edited from Gordon Birch’s review in the Harborough Mail
Orlando, youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys – Dan Creedon
Oliver, his elder brother – Andrew Nelson
Adam, Servant to Oliver – Antony Wilsdon
Dennis, servant to Oliver – Andrew Maltman
Rosalind, daughter to Duke Senior – Alison Kennerdell
Celia, daughter to Duke Frederick – Kyle Newman
Touchstone, a courtier – Steve Wilson
Duke Frederick, the usurping duke – Michael Dray
Charles, a wrestler – Dan Masters
Le Beau, a courtier – Connor Scott
A Servant – Ella Keal
Duke Senior, exiled duke – Michael Dray
Jaques, a courtier – Simon Palmer
Amiens, a Lord – Howard James
A Lord – Alan Palmer
Corin, a shepherd – Andrew Maltman
Silvius, a young shepherd – Connor Scott
Phoebe, a shepherdess – Ella Keal
Audrey, a goatherd – Georgia Bennett
William, a country youth – Dan Masters
Sir Oliver Martext, a parish priest – Antony Wilsdon
Photography by Andy Wallace
Directed by Jan Wilson