presented by the Duke's Theatre Company
“…look into happiness through another man’s eyes!” The ancient Forest of Arden serves as the backdrop for Shakespeare’s most famous and quotable comedy. When Rosalind is banished from Duke Ferdinand’s court, new identities are explored with hilarious consequences. Music, mayhem and madness thrill as we are shown that “All the world’s a stage”.
Back for a fourth Summer Season, The Duke’s Theatre Co follow their acclaimed tours of Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Twelfth Night. Kevin Bennett, (Shakespeare’s Globe, Stretford Festival, Ontario) directs this brand-new tour that will visit fifty of the UK’s most magical venues including The Minack, Wilton’s Music Hall and Hever Castle. This As You Like It will live on in your memory “forever and a day”.
***** “TDTC sets a new standard for open air theatre” – BBC Radio Wiltshire
***** “The humour, (especially the humour) is impeccably presented” – Hastings Independent
Review by Jane Pugh
All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players, thus spake Jaques in Act Two, Scene Seven, (yes, I did have to look it up) as friends gather in the middle of The Forest of Arden. I agree but what's all this merely nonsense?
The Duke's Theatre Company players were gorgeous and lively, playful and strong. Truthfully, too strong. Such is the challenge of the outdoor travelling theatre company up against the wild weather but The Minack acoustics support the actor's larynx, as do the microphones. And as does the players' voice coach, in this case, uber actor Elaine Claxton. All the actors spoke Will's dialogue with freshness and clarity. Special mention in this production to all the backroom girls, boys and they-thems who collectively mustered their skills and talents to ensure a quality production for last night's capacity audience.
This is not an easy play. Full disclosure, I'm happier (if that's the right word) with Shakespeare's tragedies, Hamlet and Othello to name two. The whimsical, philosophical comedies, Twelfth Night or A Midsummer Night's Dream, have me flaying about, trying to follow the plot. But as one of tonight's audience members said, beaming from ear to ear, 'I didn't have a clue what was going on, who cares, it was wonderful!'
