I'm not exactly a traditionalist about Shakespeare, but when changes are made I like to understand the reason. This version of As You Like It has multiple gimmicks: gender bending with Jaques and several minor roles, interaction with the audience (literally bringing them onstage), a few lines of text being sung, and Juno represented by an enormous machine. Audrey was played by a Deaf actress with an interpreter; I don't consider this a gimmick, and it wasn't hard to get used to. But gender bending usually leaves me cold, and it did here too. It may be less noticeable if you're not already familiar with the play, and the Jaques character actually went over pretty well. Besides actually bringing audience members onstage to play trees, there were a number of fourth-wall breaks that annoyed me a little.
However! The lead actress was excellent as Rosalind, and the wrestling scene was well directed. In fact I have to congratule the director in general, because he or she brought out the best in everybody. And I thought the Juno machine was a stroke of genius, especially the fact that it was handled in a rather old-fashioned way. It was also mesmerizing. I did think the Orlando actor lacked a little oomph - not acting skill so much as presence. Overall, they really go for the laughs and seldom fail.
I would recommend this production to someone who has seen other Shakespeare comedies but not this one, or to a "completist" who doesn't mind a modern-dress version.
However! The lead actress was excellent as Rosalind, and the wrestling scene was well directed. In fact I have to congratule the director in general, because he or she brought out the best in everybody. And I thought the Juno machine was a stroke of genius, especially the fact that it was handled in a rather old-fashioned way. It was also mesmerizing. I did think the Orlando actor lacked a little oomph - not acting skill so much as presence. Overall, they really go for the laughs and seldom fail.
I would recommend this production to someone who has seen other Shakespeare comedies but not this one, or to a "completist" who doesn't mind a modern-dress version.
