As You Like It (Bard on the Beach) [theatre review]

Having an insanely busy summer detracts from my ability to see some of the wonderful theatre we have in Vancouver. One of my closest partners in the theatre community is Bard on the Beach, and I had missed the 2011 season for the most part (even though I’ve given away tickets to As You Like It and also to The Marriage of Figaro). So, I decided it was time to make time (pardon the redundancy) for Bard on the Beach and As You Like It. I took JT to see it, as we both love Bard and we thought it’d be a great show to watch.

In this merriest of comedies, Shakespeare draws on his signature themes of disguise, misplaced affections and pastoral passion. The setting is ripe for romance when Rosalind, daughter of the banished Duke, runs away in disguise with her cousin Celia to the Forest of Arden. There they meet a pair of feuding brothers and Rosalind, who is masquerading as a young man called Ganymede, finds herself uniquely poised to teach her unknowing suitor Orlando the way to win a woman’s heart. Offering their own commentary on life and love are the melancholy Jaques and the wry clown Touchstone.

The performance run time may seem long with 2hrs and 45 minutes (including a 20 minute intermission) but the truth of the matter is: it’s an excellent performance. There are a number of recent innovations that Bard on the Beach has implemented, and As You Like It makes the most of these innovations to create a spectacle that is worth watching. While the main, overall theme of As You Like It is love, in its many forms (familial love, brotherly love, sisterly love and romantic love), the storylines are quite complex and sometimes hard to follow.

But if you think about it, that is exactly how Shakespeare likes it: complex, intertwined and not easy to follow. The fact that the actors engage in a few musical acts is an excellent strategy to keep the attention of the crowd, because as you know, it is a long performance. Some of my favorite actors steal the show, like Ryan Beil who plays the court fool, Charlie Gallant who totally surprises me with his artistry, Kayvon Khosham whom I’ve previously seen in All’s Well That Ends Well, a Sebastian Kroon who totally seduces me as Oliver, the originally bad brother who ends up charmed and enchanted by Celia, a Luisa Jojic who reminds me totally of my good friend Alexis Hinde). Shawn Macdonald doesn’t surprise me either, he is just so talented. David Mackay experiments with the way in which he wraps up

I was not disappointed. And as always, Bard on the Beach manages to rise above all the amazing stuff they already do. The fact that the BMO Mainstage has reserved, more comfy seats where you can bring your food and drinks, and where the seating is reserved, plus the improved acoustics really have enhanced the experience of the viewer. I would want to recommend one thing to attendees, though: at night, it gets chilly so bring along a blanket and a warm sweater. And if you, like me, are wearing sandals, remember that it may get cold even indoors.

As always, a delight to see Bard on the Beach. I’m going to try and see Richard III and a couple more plays before the end of September 2011, when this season of Bard ends. You should totally try to see As You Like It. Thoroughly recommended.

Disclosure: My guest and I attended this play on media tickets kindly offered by Bard on the Beach. In any review I write or publish on my site, I retain editorial control at all times. Should you have any questions/concern feel free to contact me via e-mail through my contact form.

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