Shakespeare & Company, Lenox, MA
through September 2, 2018
by Rebecca Phelps
Shakespeare and Company has worked its magic yet again with
a new production of As You Like It, a show sometimes criticized for being
overly “talky” and formulaic but that in the hands of S&Co.’s artistic
director and director of this production Allyn Burrows, is anything but.
Setting this frolicsome, light-hearted and fanciful comedy in the outdoor Roman
Theatre venue provides just the right atmosphere – especially as the sun begins
to set as Act II unfolds during the 5PM show.
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| Photo by Nile Scott Studio |
S&Co. actors are brimming with their trademark
physicality, flexibility and bawdy humor along with their wonderfully clear and
audible vocal delivery. The action takes place mainly in the forest of Arden
where the brilliant Rosiland and her cousin Celia have landed after being
kicked out of their comfortable homes by Celia’s ambitious and conniving
father, Duke Frederick senior, her uncle. Simultaneously, Orlando has been
banished from his home due to his older brother Oliver’s murderous intent to
keep him from his rightful inheritance.
Touchstone, Jaques, LaBelle, Silvius, Phoebe and Aubrey, are
relatively minor characters, but nevertheless, carry much of the weight of the
entertainment value of the show. MacConnia Chesser as Touchstone delivers a
brilliant and hilarious re-interpretation of the role as a woman, playing
opposite Thomas Brazzle, who doubles as both Oliver and a male version of
Shakespeare’s character Audrey, here re-invented as “Aubrey,” who only has eyes
for Touchstone. Ella Loudon is similarly tasked with the double casting as both
the love-struck Phoebe, who falls for Rosiland in her male disguise, and the
reinvented role of a very French LaBell. Gregory Boover serenades with guitar playing and singing as poor
Silvius, who cannot be deterred from his undying love for Phoebe. Deaon
Griffin-Pressely delivers a charmingly sincere and enthusiastic Orlando, the
perfect foil for the brilliant Rosiland. Nigel Gore as both Duke Frederick and
Duke Senior, Zoe Laiz as Celia and Adam, and Mark Zeisler as Charles and Jaques
round out this accomplished and skillful cast, but Aimee Doherty’s Rosiland
alone is worth the price of the ticket. A demanding role, she plays with superb
subtlety and razor-sharp wit.
Allyn Burrows is truly a gifted director and clearly in his
element as he manages to create this romp in Shakespeare’s forest of Arden. He
selected to set the play in the Roaring 20’s– what better time to pick than one
in which women got the vote and were given more choice in whom they would
marry? The use of music is noteworthy and adds to the production. Burrows and
his cast have created a marvelously entertaining production.
