It's party time at the RSC!
Well, that's what it felt like during this new production of one of Shakespeare's daftest comedies. Reading the synopsis of As You like It you do wonder if you'll ever keep up with all the machinations going on in and around the Forest of Arden - but fear not, this is a really accessible, enjoyable, laugh out loud production with more than a sense of the Burning Man Festival about it!
Naomi Dawson's flexible design and Maria Aberg's fast-paced direction move us effortlessly and swiftly between locations and scenes - even so, it is a 195 minute (including interval) evening - one that flies by and has little or no fat that could be trimmed. A couple of bits of this modernist production didn't work for me, the vogueing and heavy soundtrack near the beginning, meant, I think, to invoke a cruel and inpersonal court, seemed out of style but these didn't distract too much and once we reached the forest I had absolutely no niggles whatsoever.
In fact, this was very much a "sit back and enjoy the ride" experience - easy to follow, easy to enjoy and a real delight. Nicholas Tennant's Touchstone was bawdy and loveable (even when off-text for some audience interaction), and Oliver Ryan's Jaques was beautifully pointed. Despite the completely unbelievable plot and situation, the cast managed to make the whole thing utterly credible and a real delight - especially the relationship between Pippa Nixon's fabulous Rosalind and Alex Waldmann's Orlando - both extremely strong and watchable performances.
This one is worth a ticket whether you love Shakespeare's comedies or not ... if you're not a fan it could even convert you! Pacey, modern, accessible and genuinely funny this was well worth the late night drive home!
Running till September 2013. Photographs by Keith Pattison, Copyright RSC.
