"As You Like It" at Watford Palace

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The vertical panorama image was provided courtesy of David Long Photography

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A highlight of the Palace’s centenary year, As You Like It is a glorious, funny and moving play and features some of Shakespeare’s most beautiful lines. An enchanting and romantic comedy, it is the first Palace production of Shakespeare since 1976.

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What Flea thought of it

........by our performing arts reviewer

As You Like It – a FLEA must see!

^{“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players”}.

What an absolute delight it was to see such a wonderfully colourful performance at Watford Palace Theatre last night. I haven’t appreciated the wonders of Shakespeare since my school days and it was lovely to reminisce. This performance had me so mesmerised, I’d like to see more performances especially if they are as good as this one. Please take note Ed!!.

Each player had terrific stage presence, speaking and singing their parts so beautifully and clearly. They were true Shakespeare professionals and it was a privilege to share their interpretation in this intimate theatre.

Whilst it was regrettable that Tom Hopper was unable to perform, we were in for a real treat when William Kenning came on stage to take his place. What a character, what a wrestling costume! Yet none of the performers eclipsed any other - they were all exceptional.

Jaques played by Paul Brightwell and Touchstone played by Anil Desai were delightful to watch and listen to. However, I found myself particularly drawn to Orlando and Rosalind played by Paul Woodson and Lisa Jackson:

“We that are true lovers run into strange capers” and “Do you not know I am a woman? When I think, I must speak” are just a couple of memorable quotations from this play.

Congratulations to Brigid Larmour for a brilliant production under her excellent direction. We haven't witnessed a Shakespeare play at the Palace since 1976, so it has been extra special to have "As You Like It" presented in the theatre's centennial year with direction by the Theatre's own Artistic Director.

And finally, no review of this production would be complete without a mention of those hard-working people backstage, whos tireless but less-visible efforts contributed to the richness of experience that we enjoyed. Special thanks must go to the costume designers for all their hard work and attention to detail. The finishing touches to Touchstone, Duke Senior and Duke Frederick were really sharp. My favourite costume was for Charles the Wrestler - a knock-out, quite literally!

As You Like It appeals to all the senses and leaves you wanting more.

“Answer me in one word”, would I like to see it again? YES! (YES….YES!!!)

Well done to everyone involved in the production. Once again, Watford Palace, your prolonged applause was thoroughly deserved. ____________________________________________

More about 'As You Like It'

‘I can’t believe we haven’t produced a Shakespeare play in three decades here at Watford Palace’ says Brigid Larmour, the Theatre’s Artistic Director, who was inspired to direct this production by a photograph taken of the Palace stage during its 2002 renovation.

It imagines a production coming to life on the empty stage of an abandoned theatre and includes some music hall elements and a late Victorian atmosphere reminiscent of the Palace’s origins.

The performance includes live music in traditional folk style, specially composed for the production by award-winning composer Dominic Muldowney, who arranged the music for the Palace’s recent production of An English Tragedy.

Dominic’s radio opera The Voluptuous Tango (1996) won the Prix Italia in 1997 and the Gold Award for Best Radio Drama at the 1997 Sony Drama Awards. Dominic’s most notable successes include music for The Ploughman’s Lunch (1983), 1984 with Richard Burton and John Hurt (1984), Bloody Sunday (2002), Copenhagen (2002), and numerous original music commissions. He has also been Composer of the Week for Classic FM.

Brigid Larmour has extensive experience of directing Shakespeare. After training at the RSC, she joined the Contact Theatre in Manchester working first as associate director and later as artistic director. She directed a range of classical and contemporary work, including Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure, Anthony and Cleopatra, and Macbeth. Continuing her passion for directing Shakespeare’s plays, Brigid created a series of interactive promenade productions for RNT Education working on Shakespeare Unplugged. The shows included The Tempest, Henry V and Twelfth Night, which began as an educational tour, but had such audience appeal it later toured to the National Theatre's Cottesloe venue on the South Bank and to New York’s Lincoln Center.

The design is by Hannah Clark, who worked alongside Brigid last year on Gary Owen’s We That Are Left. Hannah trained at Nottingham Trent University, completed an MA in Scenography with distinction at Central School of Speech and Drama for which she won an A.H.R.C. Award and was winner of the 2005 Linbury Biennial Prize for stage design. Her recent designs include The House of Agnes by Paines Plough at Oval House Theatre and The Cracks In My Skin at The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester.

Movement Direction is from Shona Morris, who’s recent work includes the Chichester Festival production of Nicholas Nickleby and Twelfth Night as well as the Palace theatre’s recent world premiere An English Tragedy. She was resident Movement Coach at the Stratford Festival Theatre in Canada for three seasons, where she choreographed Henry VIII, King Lear, Agamemnon, The Flies and Electra .

The leading role of Rosalind is played by Lisa Jackson whose work in theatre includes the original production and commercial tour of The 39 Steps (West Yorkshire Playhouse). Her other theatre credits include Major Barbara at the Manchester Royal Exchange. Lisa also had a role in the film Bright Young Things directed by Stephen Fry.

Paul Woodson returns to the Palace stage after starring as Billy in last year’s We That Are Left. Paul’s recent work includes Romeo and Juliet for Shakespeare’s Globe.

Jaques is played by Paul Brightwell, whose theatre work includes Steven Berkoff’s Coriolanus (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Measure for Measure with Brigid Larmour at Contact Theatre and Les Enfants Du Paradis (RSC Barbican).

Anil Desai also returns to the theatre to play Touchstone. He has recently finished the West End run of Tintin which opened at Watford Palace Theatre last July.

Simeon Moore, who plays Oliver, is currently performing in Woyzeck at Southwark playhouse. His other theatre credits include Timon of Athens with the RSC.

Other cast members include: Helen Baker (Audrey and Le Belle); Esther Biddle (Amiens); Edward Clayton (Adam and Corin ); Neil Henry (Silvius); Tom Hopper (Charles The Wrestler & William); Claire Prempeh (Pheobe); Nick Sampson (Duke Senior and Duke Frederick) and Kelly Williams (Celia);

Late Note:

Tom Hopper, one of the cast members from As You Like It, which opens Friday 4th April 2008, is unwell. We all wish him a speedy recovery . William Kenning is stepping in to play the role of Charles the Wrestler until Tom is able to return.

William played this role previously at Exeter Northcott Theatre so he is all set for opening night despite only starting rehearsals this week. His other stage credits include Mahabharata which opened at Sadler’s Wells and later toured the country last year. He is also a regular at the Edinburgh Festival.

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