Review: As You Like It @ Royal Exchange Theatre

By James Briscoe, Senior Arts & Culture Correspondent

It’s always a pleasure visiting the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester’s St Anne’s Square.

Inside, it’s a beautiful building with bountiful space and high, high ceilings. It used to be a stock exchange and these days the busy atmosphere is recreated with excited theatre-goers.

Greg Hersov’s production of Shakespeare’s comedy, As You Like It, gives an interesting pairing of modern dress and mannerisms and intricate Shakespearean language.

The choice to move away from the idea of traditional performances to possibly make more people feel comfortable with Shakespeare was a brave one.

Herzov’s production is so funny that it’s surreal. Who really expects to see a Shakespeare play and laugh out loud even if it’s regarded as a pastoral comedy?

There is also a variety of accents which bring texture to proceedings and add to its contemporary feel, such as the Manchester twang of heartthrob, Orlando, played by Ben Bratt.

Once you’re used to the modern elements, though, you can relax and enjoy some high quality acting.

Rosalind, played by Cush Jumbo, falls for Orlando but their love is put on hold as she goes into hiding in the magical Forest of Arden dressed as a boy, with the alias of Ganymede, who speaks like a South London teenager.

The forest is wonderfully depicted with speakers hanging from the ceiling playing sounds of birds and you almost feel like you’re in the thick of it.

The play culminates in a quadruple marriage with Orlando and Rosalind finally sharing a warm embrace to the delight of the audience.

The play’s swan song is on August 6 2011 and there are performances Monday to Saturday until then (tickets are still available).

More related stories:

Review: The Rainbow Connection @ 24:7 Theatre Festival

Review: Sherica @ 24:7 Theatre Festival