As You Like It

It was 1987 when Glenn Elston pioneered outdoor theatre in Australia and Shakespeare in the Park was born here. Nearly 30 years later, the Australian Shakespeare Company is still going strong, and the idea of a picnic and wine in the beautiful Botanic gardens while you watch a play is one of our nicest traditions.

This year it’s As You Like It – one of Shakespeare’s lesser comedies, but still laced with charm. As always, there are restrictions on sets and costuming in such a venue, so Elston gives us a group of travelling players, a fair complete with boxing tent, travelling minstrels and a lion in a cage. Later there’s an adorable sheep puppet (reminiscent of Lamb Chop…am I the only one who remembers?) and plenty of interaction with the audience. It all goes down a treat with a quiche, some smoked salmon and a bottle of Pinot Grigio…or even just some cordial and a vegemite sandwich. It doesn’t matter that the plot….forbidden love, mistaken identity, girls dressing up as boys …is pretty much the same as all the other Shakespeare comedies. This time round music has been added – folk songs often sung in harmony. It’s a nice touch but does tend to break up the action.

The show has been running for several weeks now and so it was surprising that it seemed a little flat for the first half hour. I’m guessing that, with all the heavy rain, several performances had to be cancelled and so it took a while for energy levels to kick in…It’s also easier for actors to perform once dusk gives way to night and they can find their light and not be so aware of audience faces.

The big find this year is the terrific Louisa Fitzhardinge. She’s sassy and confident, has a terrific voice and articulates beautifully. Her Rosalind is a modern woman and she wrings every ounce of comedy out of her alter ego, Ganymede. She works best with Claire Nicholls (as best friend/soul sister Celia). Another delightful actress, the two are great foils for each other and raise the level of enjoyment every time they’re on stage together. Between them is the jester/Buffoon Touchstone and the very experienced Anthony Rive is, as always, excellent. Charlie Sturgeon certainly looks like the hero Orlando, but was swamped somewhat in his scenes with the always terrific Hugh Sexton as his brother Oliver, and with Rosalind – who is indeed a charismatic presence.  Scott Jackson gives us two delightful cameos as Le Beau (funny and charming) and the lovesick Silvius, and Lucy Gransbury is delightful as Phoebe. Add the offbeat whimsical antics of Tom McCathie as Adam/Corin ….including the aformentioned sheep puppet, and it’s easy to see why this is such a fun production, especially as the understudies all beautifully made up the ensemble.

But the night, and the play, belong to Mark Dickinson (Jaques/Charles). One of our finest Music Theatre performers, there doesn’t seem to be anything he can’t do and that glorious voice is always a joy. Dressed in black leather pants and boots…with a red and white military jacket, he strides, he swaggers, and has total command of the stage and the audience. He has charisma and talent in spades – and his vignette as Charles, the boxing booth champion, complete with leopard skin tights, is a comic highlight of the night.

As You Like It runs through to 14^th March…and there is surely plenty of warm weather to come to make it the perfect summer entertainment….and if, like me, you’re not the type for sitting on a blanket on the grass, you can always hire a comfy chair, it’s well worth it.

Coral Drouyn

Photographer: Matt Deller.