As You Like It (1982) Review

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(More customer reviews)This rendition of the popular comedy is not a glitzy Hollywood production, and in fact much of its charm derives from the fact that it is a live stage production that was "movified" by video cameras in the theater.
Although movie creations can offer intimacy and rich scenery that is not available on stage, there are always speeches that are whispered and shouted, and some of the throw-away lines are swallowed so that it can be difficult to understand the words-which is very important to the appreciation of the philosophical richness of Shakespeare's comedies. The twin benefits I see is this Stratford Festival production are that (1) it is much easier to understand all of the words, because stage players have to speak all lines to the guy in the back row. And (2) the stage and scenery are more like the Elizabethan theaters the plays were written to be performed in. You don't need fancy scenery to enjoy a Shakespeare play; you need excellent actors and a lively imagination.
All of the important actors are extremely well-cast, but Roberta Maxwell outshines them all. She brings Rosalind to life in a fresh and captivating interpretation. Truly she "counterfeits well" in her male impersonator's role, but throughout she is feminine grace personified. I fell in love with her by the end of the second scene, as would any red-blooded male who is free to do so. Her hands are especially beautiful in her eloquent gestures.
Of course, Orlando is as charming to the ladies, but his role is almost eclipsed by the brilliant Roberta.
The words of the play are true to the text, but the barnyard humor is surprisingly overplayed for the taste of educated people; however, mature observers can discount these occurrences for the richness of the morality and the philosophical expression offered by the Shakespearean wit. He puts most of the best lines into the mouths of rustics and fools, which makes them the more notable.
This video is an excellent buy!

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William Shakespeare: As You Like It (Recorded live at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre) (2010) Review

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(More customer reviews)Thea Sharrocks's "As You Like It" is a welcome addition to filmed versions of the play. The most accessible films are the BBC/TimeLife version from the late 1970s and the 2006 Kenneth Branagh film set in Japan both of which suffer from the effort to make the Forest of Arden a realistic rather than magical place of our imagination. The plainness of the Globe stage allows Shakespeare's words and characters to transport us from the corrupt, violent court to the pastoral world of the forest where all are welcomed and accepted for who they are. The transformation from court to forest is simply shown by the removal of black draperies from the columns to reveal plain wood 'trees,' which allow us to enter a world of music and tranquility.
The production is spirited and lively and the actors certainly seem to be enjoying it. There is tremendous sense of fun. The only slightly sour note is the unnecessarily violent expulsion of Oliver by Duke Frederick.
As Rosalind, one of the most demanding female roles in Shakespeare, Naomi Frederick performs superbly, portraying a woman of wit and intelligence while maintaining a balance between femininity and masculinity. Moving easily between Rosalind and Ganymede, she is in control while indulging in witty banter with Orlando but reveals her feminine vulnerability to Aliena as soon as he has gone. She is ably supported by Laura Rogers as Celia/Aliena, who conveys a warmth and sense of humor not often seen in this role. Jack Laskey as Orlando is suitably 'Byronic' as the romantic hero who needs to learn from Rosalind that his unrealistic view of love can lead only to disillusionment.
The Jaques of Tim McMullan is a fresh interpretation of the part. The "Seven Ages Of Man" speech is meaningfully delivered (he even delights the audience by picking out a 'whining schoolboy' from their midst). Dominic Rowan's highly energetic Touchstone is a great crowd pleaser whose physical presentation of the "lie seven times removed" evokes much laughter. Of the other minor characters, the old shepherd Corin stands out. Sean Kerns invests him with dignity confirming the worth of the simple life of a shepherd. The songs which are an integral apart of the play are enhanced by the pleasant voice of Peter Gale.
In addition to the filmed performance, a cast gallery and famous speeches are included on the disc. These extra features should prove useful for educational purposes.
This video is a thoroughly entertaining production of one of Shakespeare's happiest plays. I recommend it highly.
Irene Farrance/TW


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Thea Sharrock's irresistible new production of Shakespeare's popularromantic comedy stirs wit, sentiment, intrigue and love into acharming confection which challenges the traditional rules of romance.At its heart, a feisty but feminine Rosalind (Naomi Frederick), in lovewith the endearingly naïve Orlando (Jack Laskey), uses her disguise asGanymede to counsel him playfully in the art of wooing. Distraction isprovided by Dominic Rowan, a remarkably funny Touchstone, andTim McMullan, whose sonorous tones are perfectly suited to thelugubrious wit of Jaques. Filmed in High Definition and true surroundsound.

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