Review: AS YOU LIKE IT, RSC
Photo credit: Marc Brenner
Rosalind's (Jonathan Groff) world is turned upside down when she is banished from the court of her uncle, Duke Frederick (Gary Wilmot). Accompanied by her loyal cousin Celia (Fisayo Akinade), she flees to the Forest of Arden and adopts the disguise of Ganymede. Meanwhile, Orlando (Elliot Barnes-Worrell), the young nobleman with whom she has fallen in love, also seeks refuge in the forest. When the two meet again, Orlando fails to recognise Rosalind beneath her disguise, prompting a playful and increasingly complicated game of courtship in which Ganymede offers to "cure" his lovesickness by teaching him how to woo Rosalind. As identities and relationships become entangled, the inhabitants of Arden discover new freedoms, unexpected romances and, ultimately, reconciliation.
Anisha Fields’ set is stunning. Opening to a stark white staging with contrasting black costuming, the scene is set. Punctuated with black props to demonstrate a boxing ring and later a bath, the scene changes are slick and there is no pause in the performance to distract the audience from the slickness of this piece. Each line bleeds into the next throughout the piece, keeping a balance of pace for the duration. The arrival of the Forest of Arden is a feast for the eyes. Amidst a storm, the white walls disappear and a backdrop of moss and grass appears. As the grass creeps towards us and the subtle sounds of birdsong play, the transformation is complete. Costumes with muted earthy tones by Colin Richmond complement the setting perfectly, and by the end, bring laughter and delight.
The casting is stellar; not one weak link, but for us, the absolute standout performance is Fisayo Akinade. By the applause, we needed to remind ourselves that this is a man, playing the role of a woman; so naturally with no gimmicks, just expert acting skills, and with expert comic timing. A skill echoed in Tim Preston’s delightful portrayal of frustrated woman, Phoebe. Jonathan Groff, in his RSC debut, flutters and charms with lingering looks, girlish giggles and cheeky half smiles, making him a joy to watch. Comic timing throughout the play is impeccable, the laugh out loud moments are aplenty. Perfect intonation and pauses across the entire cast demonstrate the ability of the performers and director Daniel Evans draws the greatest levels of skill from the cast.
The music and singing are perfect in forest life, with the subtle Welsh voices bringing something unique to the play. Yet one musical moment is both a surprise and a delight, invoking belly laughs from the audience. The play brings in moments of the present without trying to modernise.
What Evans has created is near on theatrical perfection. As You Like It is so much more than just a Shakespearian comedy. This all-male production harnesses Shakespeare's fascination with performance, identity and gender, transforming the play's already intricate layers of disguise into its core. The result is a thoughtful and visually engaging staging that captures both the joy and the uncertainty at the heart of the forest world, making Shakespeare's exploration of love and selfhood feel strikingly modern.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Leanne Walpole