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As You Like It, one of Shakespeare's mistaken-identity, fantasy, romcoms is more froth than substance; some great lines and observations but don't think about the plot too much! To work it needs to be played fast and light and this production certainly was. Using extensive doubling to allow a cast of eight to cover all the characters we are treated to a comic, inventive and beautifully executed production. Set amongst the trees in Headington Park and using vast swathes of the parkland as both backdrop and acting space we are presented with an almost set-less open acting space that uses lighting and imagination to set the scene.
The opening, with a great soundtrack by Pete King, is played entirely in black and umbrellas - a clever way of getting over the almost prologue nature of the early scenes which kept us interested and stopped just before we got bored moving into the rest of the play using colourful costume, energetic acting and some really memorable musical sequences! Never taking the text too seriously (ignore the 'good burgher' joke!) Charlotte Conquest has managed to provide us with a highly accessible production well worth the trip to see.
The entire cast is to be congratulated on their energy whether acting, singing, dancing or rushing off into the distance and its a delight to hear natural voices without the 'benefit' or microphones. I have spoken in previous reviews about the Creation Theatre approach to Shakespeare, this production continues their reputation in my eyes (ears?), I find their delivery so clear and easy that I forget its not 'natural', I just enjoy it!
As I like it? Certainly!
Robert Iles
Note that it can get a bit cold by the end of the show, blankets are available as are freshly cooked interval crepes (what a great innovation for theatre!). If its been raining you need to wear sensible shoes.
