The RSC’s latest production, as seen by Jessica Harris.
The auditorium lights are on. Actors wander onto the stage, casually dressed and chatting amongst themselves. Have we stumbled into a rehearsal by mistake? Then, an explanation: most of the cast performed As You Like It together some forty years ago. The only thing which remains of that production is their memories. The intent of this adaptation is to tap into those memories, and to play with the notion of theatre itself. All the world could well be a stage.
True to its promise, this version of As You Like It makes great use of playfulness and experimentation to explore the artifice of theatre. As some performers get into position, others are still on the book or read out stage directions. Costumes are donned as we watch, and the veneer of the actor is stripped away. We know we are in a space where ideas have been allowed to develop and where actors have been able to improvise and contemporise.
The portrayal of Touchstone by James Hayes makes full use of playfulness. Using wit and physical humour, he moves seamlessly from punning on goats and goths to delivering an aside to the audience about a part of the script which he declares he doesn’t understand but thinks is a reference to Marlowe, Shakespeare’s contemporary.
Experimental aspects work well. The elderly Adam is played by a cloak, carried around by Orlando. Songs are initially performed by the cast singing in chorus to an acoustic guitar. But Blow, blow, thou winter wind is turned into a rock number, complete with dry ice, disco lights, and dancing. The performance of Jacques by Christopher Saul explores a range of interpretations of the character, from bumptious controlling of the stage to reflective delivery of the “All the world’s a stage” speech. And full use is made of theatrical devices to expose the tension between rural and courtly life: as a slaughtered deer is brought onto a darkened stage, huge and steaming, the Duke declares how good life is in the forest.
Stereotypes are forcefully challenged, particularly in the sphere of love. The enamoured lovers are elderly and knowing, rather than youthful and naïve. Geraldine James’ portrayal of Rosalind in disguise as Ganymede presents a man whom Orlando, played by Malcolm Sinclair, very nearly falls for. It seems it is only social norms which hold his passion at bay.
In a production with so many strengths, the final scene was something of a let-down. As the characters disappear into the forest for wedding festivities, Jacques alone refusing to join the rural idyll, sight and words of the cast are lost as they disappear to the back of the stage behind what is left of the set.
As You Like It was directed by Omar Elerian. It is on at Stratford until 5th August. For further information visit rsc.org.uk.
Pics – Ellie Kurttz (c) RSC.