AS YOU LIKE IT. To 14 August.
Exeter
Northcott Theatre Company in Rougemont Gardens
AS YOU LIKE IT
by William Shakespeare
To 14 August 2004
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat 31 July, 14 August 2.30pm
Audio-described 12 August
BSL Signed 19 July
Runs 2hr 30min One interval
TICKETS: 01392 493493
www.northcott-theatre.co.uk
Review Hazel Brown 14 July 2004
Superb sylvan space adds to charm of excellent productionRougemont Gardens provides an apt setting for this excellent open air production even Exeter's cathedral bells chimed in the right place in the text and placed the Forest of Arden easily at the heart of the play. Not only does the Forest provide the setting, but it gives the characters a place away from the real' world of politics to find their true selves and destinies.
Banished dukes, daughters and siblings all seek sanctuary there and reveal their true natures and loves. The women in the production are delightfully contrasted, but it is a rarity to find a Celia, Gugu Mbatha-Raw in her first professional role, who outshines Rosalind. Here is a delightful comedy star in the making, with her infectious grin and huge eyes reacting to her cousin's increasingly daring behaviour, turning a usually dull supporting role into a star turn.
Not that Gemma Larke is eclipsed. She makes a lithe and lovely Ganymede who wrings the promise of marriage from lovelorn Orlando, their eyes and hands locked, creating a moment of delightful frisson. Phoebe is a pert termagant, marching about the stage with Silvius the Shepherd in tottering pursuit and Audrey is a comely flirt, who also possesses a lovely voice, put to good use in the four part setting of A Lover and His Lass'.
Phil Cheadle also makes a remarkable professional debut as Orlando, entering diffidently into the game of wooing the boy Ganymede, but becoming increasingly drawn to near surrender. Touchstone's swagger and increasing wit is emphasised by his majestically swinging kilt and tough Scottish accent. Jaques' black cloak and hat sets him apart physically from everyone else, giving him a bohemian air, but in David Gwillim's portrayal he is a warm, though world-weary, man whose intelligent company is appreciated by the whole court in exile.
The Regency costumes sit well in the setting, with velvet and embroidery in the court scenes and brown leather jerkins, boots and Bo-peep bonnets in Arden. Guitar and concertina provide the onstage music and the play ends in a simple dance, with the cast exiting into the gathering gloom of the wood, leaving Orlando tugging at Rosalind's hand as she delivers the epilogue. Essential entertainment for anyone in the West this summer.
Adam/Corin/ Hymen: Philip Anthony
Le Beau/Silvius: Steve Bennett
Orlando: Phil Cheadle
Touchstone: Gordon Cooper
Audrey: Rebecca Deren
Phoebe: Katharine Fullam
Jaques: David Gwillim
Charles/William/Jaques de Boys: William Kenning
Rosalind: Gemma Larke
Celia: Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Duke Prederick/Duke Senior: David Meyer
Amiens/Denis/ Sir Oliver Martext: William Oxborrow
Oliver: Noel White
Lords and Foresters: Jonathan Armes, Gordon Frow, Nigel Paul, Tim Warre
Director: Ben Crocker
Designer/Costume: Sara Perks
Lighting: Russell Payne
Musical Director: Paul McClure
Choreographer: Kate Everitt
Fight director: Kate Waters
2004-07-17 12:52:12