大象传媒

This still holds true for me, but after taking English study to a much higher level, I truly learned to appreciate the beauty of the language. That's why the Watford Palace's production of As You Like It is so enjoyable, because while it is most certainly performed, the design and setting mean that the language is at the forefront of everything.

Inspired

Brigid Larmour's production, designed by Hannah Clark, was inspired by a photo taken during the Palace's 2002 renovations.

As You Like It (pic: Tristram Kenton)

It shows a theatre which is being restored so it's looking rather unloved. But Brigid thought that there was something rather magical about a theatre when it's empty, because it has a special atmosphere, a feeling that anything can happen.

So, it is from this setting - an empty theatre - that As You Like It emerges, with the minimum of props and set, so that things can happen quickly and it is down to the actors to tell the story. And this is what they do!

The plot is typical Shakespeare. Girl (Rosalind) meets boy (Orlando) and they fall in love. Rosalind's father, The Duke, is banished and then she is too, so she dresses up as a boy to escape (as you do!) and of course meets Orlando, who for some reason doesn't recognise her as a girl in trousers. There follows much hilarity as Orlando is attracted to the "boy", not realising that it's the girl he fell in love with!

Intelligence

Rosalind is the key role here, and Lisa Jackson plays her with just the right amount of youthful exuberance and adult intelligence and delivers her lines with aplomb and great timing. There is also good chemistry between her and her aimiable lover Orlando, Paul Woodson.

As You Like It (pic: Tristram Kenton)

Paul Brightwell is a suitably cycnical Jaques and Anil Desai is a genial Touchstone, but special mention must go to William Kenning, who stood in at very short notice as Charles the Wrestler and takes part in a very thrilling and realistic fight sequence with Orlando. Full marks to Fight Director Kate Waters for making me wince!

Credit must go to all the cast for strong performances because this is a play which, done well, captures the madness of love, and this production didn't fail for me.

George Bernard Shaw called this play "a mere crowd pleaser". I say what's wrong with pleasing a crowd?!

The Palace haven't done Shakespeare for over 30 years, let's hope we don't have to wait so long for the next one!