As You Like It
Aug. 29th, 2005 08:56 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
garnigalMy mother called at 9:30 on Saturday morning to see if I was interested in seeing As You Like It at the Stratford Festival that afternoon. I jumped at the chance. I'd see Guys and Dolls and A Midsummer's Night's Dream last year thanks to the generosity of friends, re-whetting my appetite for theatre in general and Shakespeare in particular. I'd also heard a lot of good buzz around As You Like It, so I was really looking forward to seeing it.
I've read the play multiple times, but I realized as I walked in that I had no idea what the story was. Fortunately, between the program notes and the sheer volume of Shakespeare I've read, I was able to follow along without any difficulty.
The story is that the Duke's younger brother has usurped his dukedom and banished his elder brother into the forest, along with any courtiers who remained loyal to the old duke. The old duke's daughter, however, remained at court at the request of her cousin (the new duke's daughter).
Meanwhile, Orlando de Boyes is being kept at home by his elder brother who has never really liked him. Oliver is trying to make a name for himself at court, and pay for the middle brother's education, leaving Orlando at home to work the land like a peasant. There's some serious jealousy going on there. Orlando goes to court to challenge the duke's champion wrestler to a match, in the hopes of making his own fortune and winning freedom. He eventually wins, drawing the eye and heart of Rosalind. However, when the duke discovers his name and parentage, he refuses to grant Orlando his due as the new champion, because Roland, Orlando's father, was loyal to the old duke.
After Orlando returns home, the Duke banishes Rosalind because her good nature, beauty and virtue makes his own daughter seem the less. Celia is not jealous, and rather than lose her friend, retreats into the forest with Rosalind and the court jester, Touchstone. To protect themselves, Rosalind dresses as a young man, passing himself off as Celia's brother. All three are taken in by a shepherd living on the very edge of the forest.
At home, Orlando discovers he is being pursued by the Duke's men under suspicion of helping Rosalind and Celia escape, since Rosalind and Orlando's attraction is no secret. He flees to the forest with his loyal servant Adam. In the woods, he and Adam are taken in by the old Duke's court.
It doesn't take long for Rosalind to discover Orlando is living in the forest; he's been papering the trees with poems to her beauty. She's flattered, but worried about the inconstancy of men. In her disguise as Ganymede, she befriends Orlando, and offers to "help him get over his infatuation" by pretending to be Rosalind. Orlando doubtfully accepts, and begins wooing Ganymede as Rosalind. She doubts his love in every action and every word, but Orlando remains loyal to his love.
One day, Orlando is late. Another young man comes through the woods looking for Ganymede. It is Oliver, the unpleasant brother. He tells an amazing story. As Orlando left Ganymede the last time, he came a young man who slept beneath a tree, unaware of a lioness lying in wait for him. Orlando stole forward to rescue the young man, only to realize it was Oliver. Twice, Orlando left, but couldn't leave any man to such a fate. To save his brother, Orlando faced the lioness and won, but was injured in the process. To keep his word to Ganymede, he sent Oliver, who has experienced a change in heart due to Orlando's generosity. Oliver falls in love with Celia, who is disguised as a shepherdess. They agree to marry the next day.
Ganymede is having some women troubles. He comes across Phebe and Silvius, two peasants. Silvius is in love with Phebe, but Phebe wants nothing to do with him. Rosalind as Ganymede berates Phebe for refusing the love in front of her, telling her she's not going to have many more chances. Phebe falls in love with Ganymede. She writes him letters, and uses Silvius to deliver them. Ganymede is unmoved, and offers to help Silvius win her. Rosalind makes a promise to Silvius, Phebe and Orlando - she'll produce Rosalind for Orlando to wed, she'll marry Phebe if Phebe still wants her, and if Phebe changes her mind, Phebe will marry Silvius.
The day of the wedding, the old duke's court and all the young people in love await the revelation. Ganymede restates the rules, then drops her coat and hat, revealing herself as Rosalind. She greets her father, gets his blessing and the wedding commences. Four couples are wed - the fool Touchstone turns up at the last minute with a shepherdess bride. As the party begins, the middle de Boyes brother appears with good news - the new Duke has been usurped and the people want the old Duke back. The banished court and newlyweds happily trail off stage towards the palace.
I quite enjoyed the play. As usual, the acting was superlative, the sets were interesting, and the understanding I gained from seeing the play on stage was great. I didn't think it was a well done as last years' Guys and Dolls or A Midsummer's Night's Dream, however.
What I did like:
The costuming and sets.
This year they set it in the late '60's. It worked very well, allowing for a great contrast between the sophisticates in "Go-GO" gear at court and the hippy's in the forest. The set itself was so simplistic, it was brilliant. They used step ladders of various heights and styles to convey the impression of trees, walls, pillars, and to provide some interesting height differences. Once, the action moved to the forest, a group of clear umbrellas descended from the flys to provide a "canopy".
Celia, Touchstone, Jaques, Le Beau.
All the acting was good, but there were some stand outs, as always. Celia, played by Sophie Goulet, was amazing. She got a lot of the sarcastic lines, and she took full advantage. She was also one of the most physical actors on the stage, running about like a whirlwind, always touching those she spoke to. She also projected very well, which was a bit of a problem for some. Our seats were second row from the front, but at the far right. Certain actors, if they were facing centre stage, were all but inaudible. Sophie Goulet was always easy to hear.
Touchstone, the fool, was also very easy to hear and also very funny. Stephen Ouimette did this bit where he said something to the effect of "I can think of one hundred and fifty ways to kill you". When the character he spoke to refused to leave, Touchstone began miming various ways to kill him. I just about killed myself laughing. That bit falls among the best physical comedy I've ever seen. Jaques, for a wonder (given my preferences), wasn't a comedic character. He is the melancholy philosopher in exile with the Duke. He was played by Graham Abbey. He ranted and roared and tried to educate and ignored the fun the exiled court poked at him. He was a rather heroic figure, remaining true to his ideals despite the urgings to become someone different. He acted as the conscience and the reason of the group. He also has the famous speech from this play - "All the world's a stage,/And all the men and women merely players:". He did that brilliantly, almost motionless, but completely in control of the entire theatre, getting a gentle laugh now and again, but always bittersweet.
Finally, Le Beau, played by Steven Sutcliffe. His role isn't huge, but Steven Sutcliffe made it his own, playing Le Beau as an intelligent and loyal fop. His mannerisms made it funny, and I couldn't imagine Le Beau any other way now that I've seen Sutcliffe's version.
Orlando.
I loved that Antoni Cimolino, the director, cast Dion Johnstone in this role. Dion played the role very well, but the best part is that he is black. It just really felt like colour didn't matter in this production at all (though I'm sure one major reason was to give the "hero" a obvious way of standing out from the crowd).
What I didn't like:
This heading is misleading. It's not that there was things I didn't like, I just felt that some things weren't as tight and didn't live up to the hype.
Rosalind was good, but she paled beside the manic disposition of Celia. William Needles (Dan Needles' father) playing Adam was too quiet to be heard throughout the entire theatre.
The music (I know I'll catch hell for these comments).
One of the things I was most looking forward to was the music, composed and recorded by BNL. I was expecting something unusual, something obviously BNL. I don't know if the director had too much input into what was written, or if BNL just didn't want to take chances with this, but I didn't feel like the music was really anything special. It fit with the rarefied Shakespearean aspect too much, and not enough with the '60's atmosphere of the setting. This was the biggest disappointment for me.
Overall, the show was wonderful. I love the theatre, I love the professionalism, I love the fact I can get there in 45 minutes. Despite the fact that at the end Mom and I both said that the play we say last year was better, I certainly don't regret seeing it. Compared to anything but the high standards of their own shows, As You Like It is a smash hit!
I've read the play multiple times, but I realized as I walked in that I had no idea what the story was. Fortunately, between the program notes and the sheer volume of Shakespeare I've read, I was able to follow along without any difficulty.
The story is that the Duke's younger brother has usurped his dukedom and banished his elder brother into the forest, along with any courtiers who remained loyal to the old duke. The old duke's daughter, however, remained at court at the request of her cousin (the new duke's daughter).
Meanwhile, Orlando de Boyes is being kept at home by his elder brother who has never really liked him. Oliver is trying to make a name for himself at court, and pay for the middle brother's education, leaving Orlando at home to work the land like a peasant. There's some serious jealousy going on there. Orlando goes to court to challenge the duke's champion wrestler to a match, in the hopes of making his own fortune and winning freedom. He eventually wins, drawing the eye and heart of Rosalind. However, when the duke discovers his name and parentage, he refuses to grant Orlando his due as the new champion, because Roland, Orlando's father, was loyal to the old duke.
After Orlando returns home, the Duke banishes Rosalind because her good nature, beauty and virtue makes his own daughter seem the less. Celia is not jealous, and rather than lose her friend, retreats into the forest with Rosalind and the court jester, Touchstone. To protect themselves, Rosalind dresses as a young man, passing himself off as Celia's brother. All three are taken in by a shepherd living on the very edge of the forest.
At home, Orlando discovers he is being pursued by the Duke's men under suspicion of helping Rosalind and Celia escape, since Rosalind and Orlando's attraction is no secret. He flees to the forest with his loyal servant Adam. In the woods, he and Adam are taken in by the old Duke's court.
It doesn't take long for Rosalind to discover Orlando is living in the forest; he's been papering the trees with poems to her beauty. She's flattered, but worried about the inconstancy of men. In her disguise as Ganymede, she befriends Orlando, and offers to "help him get over his infatuation" by pretending to be Rosalind. Orlando doubtfully accepts, and begins wooing Ganymede as Rosalind. She doubts his love in every action and every word, but Orlando remains loyal to his love.
One day, Orlando is late. Another young man comes through the woods looking for Ganymede. It is Oliver, the unpleasant brother. He tells an amazing story. As Orlando left Ganymede the last time, he came a young man who slept beneath a tree, unaware of a lioness lying in wait for him. Orlando stole forward to rescue the young man, only to realize it was Oliver. Twice, Orlando left, but couldn't leave any man to such a fate. To save his brother, Orlando faced the lioness and won, but was injured in the process. To keep his word to Ganymede, he sent Oliver, who has experienced a change in heart due to Orlando's generosity. Oliver falls in love with Celia, who is disguised as a shepherdess. They agree to marry the next day.
Ganymede is having some women troubles. He comes across Phebe and Silvius, two peasants. Silvius is in love with Phebe, but Phebe wants nothing to do with him. Rosalind as Ganymede berates Phebe for refusing the love in front of her, telling her she's not going to have many more chances. Phebe falls in love with Ganymede. She writes him letters, and uses Silvius to deliver them. Ganymede is unmoved, and offers to help Silvius win her. Rosalind makes a promise to Silvius, Phebe and Orlando - she'll produce Rosalind for Orlando to wed, she'll marry Phebe if Phebe still wants her, and if Phebe changes her mind, Phebe will marry Silvius.
The day of the wedding, the old duke's court and all the young people in love await the revelation. Ganymede restates the rules, then drops her coat and hat, revealing herself as Rosalind. She greets her father, gets his blessing and the wedding commences. Four couples are wed - the fool Touchstone turns up at the last minute with a shepherdess bride. As the party begins, the middle de Boyes brother appears with good news - the new Duke has been usurped and the people want the old Duke back. The banished court and newlyweds happily trail off stage towards the palace.
I quite enjoyed the play. As usual, the acting was superlative, the sets were interesting, and the understanding I gained from seeing the play on stage was great. I didn't think it was a well done as last years' Guys and Dolls or A Midsummer's Night's Dream, however.
What I did like:
The costuming and sets.
This year they set it in the late '60's. It worked very well, allowing for a great contrast between the sophisticates in "Go-GO" gear at court and the hippy's in the forest. The set itself was so simplistic, it was brilliant. They used step ladders of various heights and styles to convey the impression of trees, walls, pillars, and to provide some interesting height differences. Once, the action moved to the forest, a group of clear umbrellas descended from the flys to provide a "canopy".
Celia, Touchstone, Jaques, Le Beau.
All the acting was good, but there were some stand outs, as always. Celia, played by Sophie Goulet, was amazing. She got a lot of the sarcastic lines, and she took full advantage. She was also one of the most physical actors on the stage, running about like a whirlwind, always touching those she spoke to. She also projected very well, which was a bit of a problem for some. Our seats were second row from the front, but at the far right. Certain actors, if they were facing centre stage, were all but inaudible. Sophie Goulet was always easy to hear.
Touchstone, the fool, was also very easy to hear and also very funny. Stephen Ouimette did this bit where he said something to the effect of "I can think of one hundred and fifty ways to kill you". When the character he spoke to refused to leave, Touchstone began miming various ways to kill him. I just about killed myself laughing. That bit falls among the best physical comedy I've ever seen. Jaques, for a wonder (given my preferences), wasn't a comedic character. He is the melancholy philosopher in exile with the Duke. He was played by Graham Abbey. He ranted and roared and tried to educate and ignored the fun the exiled court poked at him. He was a rather heroic figure, remaining true to his ideals despite the urgings to become someone different. He acted as the conscience and the reason of the group. He also has the famous speech from this play - "All the world's a stage,/And all the men and women merely players:". He did that brilliantly, almost motionless, but completely in control of the entire theatre, getting a gentle laugh now and again, but always bittersweet.
Finally, Le Beau, played by Steven Sutcliffe. His role isn't huge, but Steven Sutcliffe made it his own, playing Le Beau as an intelligent and loyal fop. His mannerisms made it funny, and I couldn't imagine Le Beau any other way now that I've seen Sutcliffe's version.
Orlando.
I loved that Antoni Cimolino, the director, cast Dion Johnstone in this role. Dion played the role very well, but the best part is that he is black. It just really felt like colour didn't matter in this production at all (though I'm sure one major reason was to give the "hero" a obvious way of standing out from the crowd).
What I didn't like:
This heading is misleading. It's not that there was things I didn't like, I just felt that some things weren't as tight and didn't live up to the hype.
Rosalind was good, but she paled beside the manic disposition of Celia. William Needles (Dan Needles' father) playing Adam was too quiet to be heard throughout the entire theatre.
The music (I know I'll catch hell for these comments).
One of the things I was most looking forward to was the music, composed and recorded by BNL. I was expecting something unusual, something obviously BNL. I don't know if the director had too much input into what was written, or if BNL just didn't want to take chances with this, but I didn't feel like the music was really anything special. It fit with the rarefied Shakespearean aspect too much, and not enough with the '60's atmosphere of the setting. This was the biggest disappointment for me.
Overall, the show was wonderful. I love the theatre, I love the professionalism, I love the fact I can get there in 45 minutes. Despite the fact that at the end Mom and I both said that the play we say last year was better, I certainly don't regret seeing it. Compared to anything but the high standards of their own shows, As You Like It is a smash hit!
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no subject
Date: 2005-08-29 04:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-29 04:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-29 07:21 pm (UTC)hah!
Date: 2005-08-29 08:07 pm (UTC)Go to the Stratford website and click on "Play On!"
As long as you still be 30 or under (and IIRC, you are) you can go to some of the plays for 20$, sometimes in very good seats.
no subject
Date: 2005-08-29 05:40 pm (UTC)Sits quietly and just trys not to say anything....
*glare*
no subject
Date: 2005-08-29 06:08 pm (UTC)I've been waiting for your response all day. Glaring is disappointing. If you notice, I put the potential blame on the director.
What did you think of the show as a whole, incidentally?
no subject
Date: 2005-08-29 06:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-29 07:07 pm (UTC)You rock. Glad you liked it. I'm probably going to see the Tempest in Oct, and Into the Woods in September - I'll let you know how they are.
no subject
Date: 2005-08-29 07:12 pm (UTC)It's easier for me to wirte long reviews immediately after I see something, unless there was something that REALLY stood out (good OR bad) in my mind.
It's been a few weeks since this one, thus, you get a one-liner :-p