Writer: William Shakespeare
Director: Omar Elerian
There is much to commend this refreshing take on As You Like It. It is certainly unlike any production of Shakespeare’s sylvan comedy audiences will have encountered before and, in an age where there is almost nothing new under the sun, that is certainly to be welcomed.
The premise of this production is that a troupe of actors who performed the play in 1978 have gathered together in a rehearsal room to recreate that production without props, costumes and those cast members who are no longer available. To help fill the gaps, four actors at the start of their career are on hand to cover where needed. This simple framing device is the perfect opportunity to give actors of a certain age to tackle roles they would never be offered at this point of their careers.
It is the age and, more importantly, experience of the ‘senior’ cast that is this production’s greatest strength. By assembling a core team each with many decades in the profession, it is probably the best delivery of the text you are likely to hear. They have a clear understanding of the language and of stage craft and that is simply joyous to watch. There can be little doubt that the younger cast members will have learned much from sharing the stage with their more mature colleagues.
At the heart of any As You Like It is Rosalind and Geraldine James delivers an elegant and fluid performance of what is a challenging role for any actor. She is attuned to the humour and the romance in the text and captures the heart of both her Orlando (the ardent and smooth-talking Malcolm Sinclair) and the audience.
Alongside Rosalind is the oft over-shadowed role of Celia. But with Maureen Beattie, a far more present, witty and engaging portrayal emerges. Her Celia is full of life and energy – always lighting up the stage.
Where the production fully takes to life is whenever James Hayes takes to the stage as Touchstone. Shakespeare’s clowns are notoriously hard to make funny for contemporary audiences but the director, Omar Elerian, has given Hayes the freedom to break away from the script to add his own comments, quips and explanations. Together they show exactly how you can make these challenging characters work. It is a masterclass in comic timing and audience engagement.
For all the strengths of the cast and their performances, what is less clear is the intention behind the production and what audiences are supposed to take away from the experience.
It may be, for some, a production exploring the role that memory plays in telling our stories. For others, it is about celebrating age in a culture seemingly obsessed with youth. The director may have both of these things in mind, and more. But there is a slight lack of clarity in the intention that stops it fully coalescing into a complete piece of work.
The cast have clearly relished the opportunity to take on these characters in a production full of nuance, warmth and deep understanding. This love of performing is immediately evident to the audience who are entranced throughout. And whilst it is not perfect, it is still an As You Like It to cherish.
Runs until: 15 August 2023
