As You Like It - Royal Shakespeare Company (2024) Review

Reviewed by Mark Johnson at The Holloway Garden Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon
Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review

Shakespeare's As You Like It is brought to life this summer in a streamlined version in the glorious open-air surroundings of the Holloway Garden Theatre. The Forest of Arden is effectively captured in Brendan O'Hea's 1 hour 25 minute production.

Christina Tedders as Celia and Letty Thomas as Rosalind. Photo by Marc Brenner

Before the play begins outstepped actor Chris Nayak to inform the audience of the injury actor Luke Brady who plays Orlando has suffered and how this will impact certain scenes such as the wrestling scene which sees Peter Dukes superbly create the wrestle on his own. There's a sense of the spirit this has brought to the company and how supportive they've been to adapting the production as necessary.

As the play begins properly we're greeted by the actor-musician company playing a lovely tune composed by Catherine Jayes and the fast-paced piece is off and never slows down. The pacing is slick and the trimming down doesn't affect the enjoyment and the characters. We're still given time to get to know the roles and explore the characters.

At the core is an excellent Letty Thomas as Rosalind. Daughter of the banished Duke Senior, who lives at court with her cousin Celia and her usurping Uncle, Duke Frederick. At the wrestling match, she meets Orlando and their instant spark is the gel that drives the story forwards. Thomas excels in her delivery of the role, especially once she is disgusting herself as the male Ganymede once she is exiled. She deftly balances the feelings with challenging Orlando to prove his love.

Brady doesn't let the injury hold him back, he performs the role with one foot in a protective boot but he still moves around with great energy. His infatuation with Rosalind is well realised, although maybe we could have visually seen more of the placing of love notes on or around the set. The spark between Thomas and Brady is captured perfectly and leads to a lovely payoff in the end as everything is reconciled as Ganymede reveals her true self.

The company of As You Like It. Photo by Marc Brenner.

Christina Tedders is fantastic as Celia. She deftly captures the relationship with Rosalind whilst also being such good fun. Tedders gets some fabulous costumes designed by Liam Bunster as she stands by Rosalind and follows into the Forest. Also joining Rosalind and Celia is Duncan Wisbey's Touchstone. Wisbey has a fun time playing the fool and is a joy to watch.

Trevor Fox is the melancholic Jaques and delivers the Seven Ages of Man speech with precision as he interacts with those around him whilst making eye contact with the audience. Fox is a top-class character actor as shown recently in The Ocean At The End Of The Lane and once again here.

Chris Nayak switches between the hard-nosed Duke Frederick and the doting Silvius who is in love with Natasha Magigi's Phoebe. Magigi thrives in showcasing her vocal prowess. Susannah Van Den Berg's is another with great vocals and comedic delivery as Audrey. 

Liam Bunster's blue set does lack a feel of the colours of the Arden, but the trees that surround the outdoor theatre does aid in the setting. The blowing of the wind in the trees and natural sounds is no problem for Jonathan Ruddick's clear sound design. The cast are all microphones so no line is lost.

The light and bright tone is given another layer with the music that the outstanding company plays throughout. The open-air production is played in daylight with performances taking place at 2pm and 5pm allow for the connection with the audience. It's great to see so many children in the audience too. 

This production is the perfect way into the works of Shakespeare or a simple pleasure for those who want to revisit the Bard's romantic comedy. A summer treat by the Avon.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

As You Like It runs at the Holloway Garden Theatre until 1st September 2024. Tickets are available from https://www.rsc.org.uk/

Trevor Fox as Jaques. Photo by Marc Brenner.