I was at AS YOU LIKE IT last night...

Can I pass on my appreciation of a brilliant production.

I did it for O level, and now I'm 73. I still remember my excellent English master apologising for the play and trying to explain what pastoral convention meant. For my generation, reading Arden as a hippy drug trip makes absolute sense. but the production also caught the sinister political context admirably. Special congrats to Jaques, who made the character utterly credible.

Another wonderful review. .....Trevor Burton....

..heartily recommends the Maddermarket Theatre's spectacular, colourful and generally breath-taking production of 'As You Like it'. To say this particular work is not high on my list of favourite Shakespeare plays would be an understatement, which makes the achievement of director Chris Bealey and his team all the more remarkable. It's set in 1967 -- the summer of love - and, hey man, you can almost smell the wacky-backy in the Forest of Arden. The full-size Volkswagen passion wagon is a master-stroke, and I will be definitely be sneaking back-stage at some point to work out how it was done. Brilliant show; runs until Saturday, April 5. Well done all!

Review by Barry Parsons

As you like it! - I certainly did.It may have been the wacky baccie, but I think it more likely the wacky backdrop, that has brought this superb production to life. I absolutely loved it and will to rave about. Chris Bealey (director) has had superb vision to set this play in the 1960s. In many ways, setting this production in a hippy commune in the middle of Arden Wood made a lot more sense of the dialogue and interactions and confrontations. The retro 60's "Sgt Pepper" costumes transported me back there even though I wasn't "really" there as I was too young to appreciate it at the time. The florescent paint and ultraviolet lighting made the set look stunning and memorable with a VW mini bus as the centre piece. With strong performances throughout the cast (too many to name), but notably the principle characters played by Laura Landamore as Rosalind, Jo Parker Sessions as Celia, Thomas Matthias Girvin as Orlando and Touchstone (the fool) played by a versatile Neil Auker, all topped off with an entertaining flock of sheep.
This production will live always in my memories. Highly recommended. Don't miss it. Sorry I can't mention everybody, but you have a cracking show here and everyone must play their part.

Audience reaction to the final rehearsal....

It's fantastic! Don't miss it, folks. Packed with colour, stage design, costumes and all things visual... as for the lead lady, stunning roles.

Tech Rehearsal 23rd March

Really enjoyed the Tech yesterday, great singing, set and lighting looking good. Dress rehearsal tonight, always very exciting when we try our costumes onstage, we get a real sense of how the show is going to be. My main feeling is that it's going to be a joyous show for our audience, it's certainly a fabulous show to be in ! Roll up folks!

Tim 

Join Chris Bealey for a look at The Maddermarket theatre

Grab a cuppa and sit and watch the BBC voices film on The Maddermarket

Click on this LINK