As You Like It

As You Like It is a striking production, with high visual impact and top-notch performances.

For those familiar with the Heath Ledger Theatre, the set has particular impact. The distinctive wood features of the theatre extend on to the stage itself in a seamless melding, so that The Court in the opening scenes seems to be part of the theatre (or that the audience is inside The Court). When the set later spectacularly transforms into the stunning Forest of Arden setting, the feeling of being at one with the set continues. The set is organically beautiful and is lit seamlessly by Matt Scott.

Set designer Christina Smith, also designed the costumes, and showed a wonderful sense of fun. Modern yet distinctive, the characterisation inherent in the costumes tell a wonderful story in themselves.

Director Roger Hodgman sets As You Like It in a non specific place that, like the theatre space we thought we knew, is familiar yet foreign. The accents are Australian and the delivery is relaxed and natural. The pace is fluid and the sense of story superb.

Performances throughout are strong. Jovana Miletic appears in her element as clever, cheeky, central character Rosalind, with Grace Smibert a beautiful and witty companion as Celia.

James Sweeny is a worthy and charming Orlando - with Igor Sas delightfully winning the audience as Orlando's elderly retainer Adam. Sas also performs an interesting and surprising cameo. Andy Fraser, who is also the fight director (and has devised dynamic fight choreography), pulls triple duty as audience darling, obnoxious wrestler Charles and the hard-done-by William. Brendan Hanson brings lovely broad stroke comedy to Le Beau and priest Sir Oliver Martext and lends his resonant voice to Amiens. 

Luke Hewitt was a likeable and funny Touchstone, nicely paired with Caitlin Beresford-Ord as a gorgeously awkward Audrey. Geoff Kelso was convincing both as detestable Duke Frederick and his reasonable and kind brother Duke Senior, while Brett Dowson handled Oliver's transformation from bullying villain to romantic hero, nicely.

Cecelia Peters, as Phebe, looked an acted like an escapee from a Gypsy Wedding reality show, in an excellent performance and Nick Maclaine was lovely as her hapless suitor. Greg McNeill created a laid-back Corin, while Steve Turner brought depth to the melancholy Jaques.

Ash Gibson-Greig 's score adds almost palpable depth to the story and modern incidental music brings moments of humour.

As You Like It is a lovely feel-good production, a beautifully told story that is glorious to look at. Easy to follow, this would be a wonderful introduction to Shakespeare and is generally just a really good night out.

Kimberley Shaw

Images: (from top) Brendan Hanson, Jovana Miletic, Steve Turner, James Sweeny, Luke Hewitt and Caitlin Beresford-Ord; Jovana Miletic, Ceclia Peters and Nick Maclaine & As You Like It cast.

Gary Marsh Photography