As You Like It

The company Bell Shakespeare once again takes a Shakespearian classic and reinvigorates its language, mannerisms and aesthetics, bringing in blues, jazz and physical comedy interludes.

As You Like It follows the unlikely love affair between Orlando (Charlie Garber) and Rosalind (Zahra Newman). A family spat banishes Rosalind to the Forest of Arden, in men’s clothing, accompanied by her vivacious cousin Celia, imagined by Kelly Paterniti, whose subtle gestures and timing are really the lynchpin that brings the contemporary humour together.

Newman, who builds angst as she cross-examines Garber’s sheepish yet besotted character, comfortably disguises herself as an authoritative man called Ganymede. She toys with Orlando’s earnestness and awkwardness, portrayed excellently by Garber. The evolving, unlikely romances take place under a stage covered in flowers, styled with polished colour and understatement by costume designer Kate Aubrey.

There’s man-on-man wrestling, the loveable and melancholic Jaques (played by director John Bell), women dressed as men, fist fights, love stories, jealousy and plenty of room for humorous pauses. Some of the funniest, most engaging moments happen when the actors merely pause or physically react to the now unusual Shakespearean language. There are abrupt entries and exits to scenes that can only be achieved with an obsession with staging and rehearsal, which this production has definitely nailed.