As You Like It at Soho Place Theatre

The possibilities of a brand new theatre space in pulsating Soho echoes through the Forest of Arden in As You Like It. Director Josie Rourke enlivens Shakespeare’s comedy with lighthearted, modern vibes and enchanting musical elements.

After losing her father to exile, Rosalind (Leah Harvey) is condemned to the same destiny. Her cousin, Celia (Rose Ayling-Ellis), won’t leave her side, so the two of them decide on disguises and new names in order to safeguard themselves in the wild, Rosalind pretending to be a boy called Ganymede. At the same time, Orlando (Alfred Enoch), disregarded by his brother, despised by the king and totally in love with Rosalind, also becomes a wanderer in the woods. Encounters with one-of-a-kind characters and misunderstandings ensue.

The show gives relevance to the different couples, enhancing the ensemble performance rather than single figures. Besides the witty exchanges from the original material, support is added by musical interludes and well-paced lengthening of sequences. The signing and scattered BSL translations are not only a fitting addition for inclusivity, but they add a certain depth in terms of incorporating a further way of communicating and a true embodiment of words (through gesture). Beautifully embedded in this is the atmospheric presence of the acoustic piano, played by Michael Bruce: pretty much the only set prop, it is smoothly integrated both for dramatic accents and quicker beats.

The 360-degree stage bolsters a more personal and complete vision of the action without blindspots. With fewer backstage spaces for the actors to disappear into, and without backgrounds and props, there is more of a challenge for them to set the scene themselves. The play feels like it is missing a more fluid dynamic as a result.

Silvius (Nathan Queeley-Dennis) adds hip-hop notes to Phoebe’s (Mary Malone) words in the score, and entertaining sequences of clumsy dialogue involving Touchstone (Tom Mison) jazz up the whole, along with the singing. It would have been enjoyable to more of this sprinkled throughout. Nonetheless, As You Like It is a bright and melodious sparkle under a wintry sky.

Cristiana Ferrauti
Photo: Manuel Harlan

As You Like It is at Soho Place Theatre from 6^th December until 28^th January 2023. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.