As You Like It - Stratford Upon Avon
Soon to be staged at the Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon is As You Like It, William Shakespeare’s classic comedy that features many of his signature themes, including forbidden love, whilst also subverting other themes that had been a staple of the genre. As You Like It has been remembered for the ways in which mistaken identity and gender confusion are manipulated to bring out a comical atmosphere deep in the Forest of Arden.
Michael Boyd is set to direct the production having taken on various plays in 2010, including “Antony and Cleopatra” earlier in the year. The Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, he has been behind a range of plays in the current ensemble and his credits include “Henry VI Parts I, II and III”, “Henry IV Parts I and II”, “Richard III” (earning him a Laurence Olivier Award in 2001), “Measure for Measure” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Beyond the RSC he has helmed “The Trick is to Keep Breathing” at the Royal Court Theatre and “This England: Histories Cycle”, another production that earned him a Laurence Olivier Award.
As You Like It focuses on the characters of Orlando (Jonjo O’Neill) and Rosalind (Katy Stephens), who are young lovers fearing for their lives should the court discover this hidden secret. So that their romance can flourish they decide to take on disguises and head out into the Forest of Arden, where they hope for a happy relationship. However, the forest has different ideas for them and under its canopy of trees they fall victim to various situations, where confusion of gender roles, mistaken identity and more all lead to a surprising discovery concerning Rosalind’s past.
Jonjo O’Neill, who plays Orlando, makes his triumphant return to the RSC after appearing in plays as part of the company’s “Gunpowder” season in 2005.
Joining him is Katy Stephens as Rosalind, who has appeared in various productions for the Royal Shakespeare Company as part of the current ensemble, with productions including “Richard III”, “Richard II” and more. Her other stage credits include “Tamburlaine” at the Barbican Theatre and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Orchard Theatre. Her screen roles have included the likes of “Relative Values” and “The Bill”.
As You Like It is at the Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from Wednesday 21st July 2010 to Saturday 4th September 2010.
