Type – Funny, Silly, Energetic
If you liked – Outdoor Entertainment, 10 Things I Hate About You, Schitt’s Creek
As You Like It: Raw Shakespeare with all the Christmas trimmings
Melbourne Shakespeare Company always puts on one of The Comedies close to Christmas, and keeps it mostly original with a slight little twist – it has become a Christmas tradition of sorts. Each performance takes place in the quaint Rose Garden out the back of the St Kilda Botanic Gardens. The cottage outdoor setting, enhanced by set designer Ishan Vivekanantham with elaborate floral displays reflects the idyllic reverie of a true Shakespearian comedy.
This is rambunctious Shakespeare, performed outdoors with all the camaraderie. It is vibrant and loud with much audience participation. Annabelle Tudor takes a very relaxed approach to direction, incorporating the orchestra rotunda and brick fascia into the court and forest. There is a lot of flamboyant slapstick action that will bring joy to any theatregoer – if only all were as polite to those around them.
Unnatural Comedy in the Most Fantastical of Ways
As You Like it is ridiculous, there is nothing really unnatural in a fantastical way, but its storyline is so impossible it might as well be. It’s a romantic comedy not far from our contemporary movies. It is certainly pastoralist, that is given a deeply romanticised portrayal of love and life where everyone who can love is loved and the trees are green and the flowers are in bloom by the end. Some could argue that it is unrealistic and gives its audience too optimistic an outlook for their own lives, but its monologue, commencing with the line “All the World’s a Stage” has us fear our own mortality.
Its almost frightening how much like our modern romantic comedies it is, with hopeless romantics seeking charismatics in idyllic settings. Such will become the standard for almost every narrative of this genre. William Shakespeare did not invent this genre, as funny melodrama has existed since the beginning of time, but there is no doubt he perfected the formula and popularised it. The story, in all its limerent glory is the starter kneaded into the light entertainment of today. The storyline has all of Shakespeare’s favourite comedic trappings, preserving lineages, exile and of course disguising, crossdressing and ending up with a whole subplot and double life.
The Outdoor Elements
Being outdoors, there is no need for lighting, but an effective designer can coordinate scenes with the sunset. I did enjoy sitting down in a bright afternoon and being led into the forest in a moody evening as it brought a true mystical energy. It’s amazing what a creative mind can manipulate from the simplest of tools. This year’s costume schtick by Leah Fitzgerald-Quinn was to dress our courtiers in absurdist bright pink clothing. It gave a sense of distinguishing uniformity and flamboyant hilarity, considering the queer overtones of As You Like It.
Audience members did swoon at the sight of the performers in the first act, generating energy that lingered until the end. There certainly were scenes early on specifically geared for such a reaction from the audience. Scenes set in the forest used stage design and costuming with earthy tones, specifically shades of green and brown, with the costumes presented beautifully and complimented with a floral display. To help aid the uninitiated Shakespearian, who is not familiar with the text, the characters each have a name plate so one can keep track
Melodies in the Scenery
In tradition with their previous work, the Melbourne Shakespeare Company incorporates classic songs into their performance. There is something deeply human about unamplified raw vocals. What Tim Bland does, is to take songs everyone knows, and transform them into light and funny singalong tunes that fit perfectly into the play. With each imperfection, a connection is felt that unites. The vocals of the cast are not perfect, but they meddle with the voices of the audience who can’t help but sing along with them. Each time, these melodies are deeply emotional and fill the audience with secular joy.
I love a performing troupe, and there were many recognisable faces in the cast who have starred in previous summer Shakespeare performances. It is a larger cast, with each performer approaching Shakespeare with their own energy. Whilst variety on stage can be a distraction, I found this approach offered more attentiveness, and I became fascinated by the mannerisms of the individual actors. Many people influenced by the very Victorian Shakespeare performances expect formalities, but Shakespeare should be casual, it just comes naturallywhen you read and workshop Shakespeare’s plays. Enhanced by my familiarity with the troupe, I became acquainted with the characteristics of each performer and their approach to Shakespeare.
Is As You Like It Worth Seeing in Melbourne?
If you want a fun evening, As You Like It is the perfect event for you. Our society lacks the energy and deeper societal analysis Shakespeare’s comedies evoke. It is so joyous and will leave you with a feeling of collective energy.
Tickets and Practical Info for As You Like It in Melbourne 🎟️
St Kilda Botanic Gardens, The Rose Garden.
Tickets: https://www.melbourneshakespeare.com/as-you-like-it
Cast: Corey Saylor Brunskill, Emma Austin, Emma Woods, Gareth Isaac, Harley Dasey, Imogen Rabbitte, Jamie Garner, Kirby Lunn, Luisa Scrofani, Sebastian Li, Sonya Suares, Yuan Lu.
Artistic Director: Jennifer Sarah Dean
Directed by Annabelle Tudor and Emma Austin
Set Design: Ishan Vivekanantham,
Costume Design: Leah Fitzgerald Quinn
Music Director: Tim Bland
