 "Photo: Brandon Davis")
"As You Like It" Theatre South Carolina 5 out of 5 Stars
Robert Richmond, a respected director from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, has created a Celtic version of the Shakespearean comedy "As You Like It" that entices viewers to join the actors on stage with laughter, awe and affection for this contemporary version.
Orlando, who is performed by the charismatic Daryl A. Ball, is exiled to the magical Forest of Arden where he meets the beautiful Rosalind, performed by the talented actress Jennifer Fine. A simple romance morphs into a complex and rigorous love story that is brilliantly performed by the talented actors here at USC's Theatre South Carolina.
It is not the acting that draws the audience into the story, although performances were exceptional due to the chemistry the cast shared while performing. It was the way the stage was designed; wily dance numbers and slow motion transitions were brought to life on a book. The book captured the imagination of the audience as brilliant choreography of light and Celtic music guided the performers on stage.
At times the audience might feel like it is on the edge of the seats with the lighting on the Duke's guards or clap with the characters on stage following the beat of the music. The stage is appealing to the eye and complements the comedic and jovial aura felt within the story.
The comedy within Shakespeare's play was fun to participate in as a member of the audience, but what took it to a higher degree of professionalism was the dramatic scenes regarding the evil Duke. Dark ninja-like actors act like voracious dogs beckoning to his commands, which is why Orlando, Rosalind and Celia leave the Duke's court. The Duke's guards inspire fear in both the characters and the audience.
Whether it is the Duke's guards, the hilarious sheep in the background or the cheery forest dwellers, costume designing made the story a visual spectacle. It elicited the purpose of the characters as well as their personalities. Costumes alone actually make it more fun for the audience to decide who's the villain and who's the hero. The Irish wardrobe successfully brought a contemporary fashion to Shakespeare.
Those unfamiliar with Shakespeare's comedies, shouldn't stress. The mixture of Irish and English accents the actors deliver on stage will keep you interested. You will not get bored during any scene of the play because there is too much to observe. Characters are either evolving or transitioning in slow motion before your eyes; the gender of characters change from scene to scene as swift as the love being spread through the trees of knowledge there at Arden.
Because of Richmond's vision, this play will make you laugh and become involved more effectively in a Shakespeare play.
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