In the mythical Forest of Arden, a world of transformation where anything is possible and anything permissible, two young people discover what it really means to be in love.
Directed by Max Webster, with beautiful new music by Charlie Fink (former frontman of Noah and the Whale), this warm, open-hearted production promises adventure, sibling rivalry, mistaken identity and romance – Shakespeare comedy as you like it.
Guidelines for Parents and Teachers
Guidelines for Parents and Teachers
As You Like It
With a running time of 2hr 35mins (including the interval), As You Like is likely to be unsuitable for younger audiences. In any event, please note that this is not part of our programme of work created/re-imagined especially for children, and it remains the responsibility of the parent/guardian in advance of purchase to make their own judgement as to the suitability of the show for their own child.
More Information about bringing children to the Open Air Theatre
Read reviews
Show all reviewsEvening Standard
"What a glorious 2018 season this theatre is settling into
A BLAZING SHAKESPEARE FOR THE SUMMER
The original music confirms former Noah and the Whale frontman Charlie Fink as a theatre composer of the first rank"
Time Out
"VIBRANT, FUNNY and POLISHED
it's great fun, taking one of Shakespeare's most amorphous plays and repeatedly hitting comedy gold"
Daily Telegraph
"Max Webster's production embraces the craziness...it fizzles with playfulness and lascivious intent"
The Times
"GORGEOUS...this is such a joy - a merry muddle of the sweet, tender, bawdy and melancholy Olivia Vinall is a clever, vibrant Rosalind; Jacade Simpson an adoreable Silvius"
Daily Mail
"What steals the show is Danny Kirrane's turn as tubby fool Touchstone, grappling with his pop-up tent and singing serenades into beer bottles for Amy Booth-Steel as his deliciously simply shepherdess"
BroadwayWorld.com
"Edward Hogg imbues Orlando with wit and boyish charm, with funny asides that highlight his instinct for comedy. The perfect summer show that will tickle your funny bone and have you humming the tunes all the way home"
City AM
"A production that is willing to take risks...A DELIGHT"
The Arts Desk
"A CELEBRATORY, MUSICALLY GLEEFUL revival of Shakespeare's cross-dressing favourite Maureen Beattie is terrific - a strong, sardonic presence, with a melancholy based not in personal affection, but a deep sadness at the human conditions"
Independent
"The whole production is summer fun, pure and simple"
The Guardian
"It captures love's exhilarating madness"
Financial Times
"Peppered with bright, touching performances, this is a warm, thoughtful production about transformation on many levels"
Metro
“The main vibe is giddy escapism and personal liberation, beautifully encapsulated in Charlie Fink’s pop-splattered score”
CREATIVE TEAM
- Phil Bateman – Music Director and Arranger
- Polly Bennett – Movement Director
- Lee Curran – Lighting Designer
- Naomi Dawson – Designer
- Charlie Fink – Composer
- Gareth Fry – Sound Designer
- Lotte Hines – Casting Director
- Barbara Houseman – Season Associate Director (Voice & Text)
- Max Webster – Director
- Bret Yount – Fight Director
CAST
- Simon Armstrong – Duke Fredrick / Duke Senior
- Jack Beale – Le Beau / Actor Musician
- Maureen Beattie – Jacques
- Amy Booth-Steel – Audrey / Singer
- Me'sha Bryan – Amiens / Singer
- Edward Hogg – Orlando
- Keziah Joseph – Celia
- Beruce Khan – Oliver
- Danny Kirrane – Touchstone
- Gary Lilburn – Adam / Martext
- Joanne McGuinness – Phebe / Singer
- Kristian Phillips – Charles the Wrestler / Jacques De Boys
- Jacade Simpson – Silvius / Singer
- John Stahl – Corin
- Olivia Vinall – Rosalind
- Silas Wyatt-Barke – William / Actor Musician
