• Showing at: Theatre Royal, Bath.
• Season: May - November 2003
• Buy Tickets
• Entertainment Rating: 79%
• Drama Rating: 78%

"As you like it" is one of Shakespeare's most famous comedies. The play bases itself around the journey of two princesses (disguised as boys) in the forest of Arden and their encounters with love.

The idea, I think, behind the whole play is that the forest of Arden is enchanted, and all those that enter it end up changed all together (something like that anyway) - though at times the story can move very quickly so it can be fairly easy to lose track.

However, the enjoyment of this play does not come through in its plot or story. For me, this play reflected all that makes Shakespeare famous: The use of language in this play is simply beautiful and often funny. Some of Shakespeare's most famous and poetic speeches are in this script, and Bath's actors and actresses performed them superbly. The beauty of this performance is: if you have never seen a Shakespeare play, but have admired the use of his language on paper, then you will understand and witness how beautifully poetic the language is when performed by great Shakespearean actors under the supervision and direction of the well known Peter Hall.

The most impressive part of this performance, though, was the incredible and dramatic scenes put on by the actors and actresses. The stage lacked props and scenery, but did not lack the close relationship between Rosilynd (Rebecca Hall) and Celcia (Rebecca Callard) - and it wouldn't surprise me at all if the actresses were in fact sisters. Orlando (Hugo Speer) put on an incredibly emotional performance, one that the audience admired greatly. The greatness of this place came from raw acting.

However, even if you're not a Shakespearean enthusiast, you can still enjoy this play. I'll admit, it was a bit slow at first - but once the second act started there were plenty of satirically philosophical speeches to laugh at. One of the things I admire Shakespeare for is the way he caters for people who do may not understand the subtle humour in his writing, and involves characters and scenes that are there simply to laugh at. "As you like it" has plenty of these.

Probably not a Shakespeare play for the family, but definitely one for any Shakespeare enthusiast.

Review by Richard J Turner (19th August 2003)

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