Last night I attended the second play in my Shakespeare week: As You Like It. After the bloody revenge of Titus Andronicus, the light-hearted comedy and love story of As You Like it was a welcome change.
Rosalind and Orlando are both unhappy in court. Orlando regrets that, being the third son of his father, he has none of the advantages of the first son, and Rosalind is not liked because she as the daughter of the Duke who had been banished. She is only allowed to stay because she is such close friends with Celia, the usurper’s daughter.
Rosalind meets Orlando at a wrestling match, and it is love at first sight. Pippa Nixon as Rosalind is goggle-eyed and Alex Waldmann is tongue-tied, as their budding romance begins a bit like a screwball comedy.
Each of the two – Orlando accompanied by his faithful servant Adam, and Rosalind by her cousin Celia – head out for new lands. Coincidentally, they both end up in Arden forest, a magical place.
Much love-making ensues, as Rosalind, dressed as a man, convinces Orlando to woo her, as if she were the Rosalind that he loves, and to whom he leaves verses on many trees in the forest. But there are other parallel love stories, with three couples. One involves Touchstone, the fool that Rosalind and Celia brought with them. Nicolas Tennant in this role is a delight, bringing comic relief to every scene he is in. Another pairing occurs between a couple of shepherds, and a fourth between Oliver, Orlando’s elder brother, and Celia. It’s a bit hard to follow, but in this production, directed by Maria Aberg, everything makes sense; as much as it can, in this play full of coincidences.
The setting of the court features people in dark suits and dresses – and thumping electronica as a soundtrack – and the forest has a ragtag band of outcasts, dressed as modern hippies, replete with acoustic guitars, to sing the songs in the play. The RSC commissioned original music by singer-songwriter Laura Marling (iTunes), which works well with the tone of the play.
But it’s the acting that stands out. Pippa Nixon and Alex Waldmann are a brilliant couple, and have true chemistry, even though Rosalind is disguised as a man. The “trick” of getting Orlando to woo her in her manly guise is but a vehicle for this Elizabethan romcom, and it works well here.
But the play drags a bit at the beginning. The court scenes, the wrestling match, and all the preparations for the two lovers leaving court, are a bit drab and slow. When they reach the forest, however, everything changes, and the pace quickens, the acting sparkles, and the actors clearly enjoy themselves. As the play draws to a close, with four weddings, and much singing and dancing, it becomes one of those magical moments in the theater where everything is just right.
I had seen As You Like It in May, and my opinion of my first viewing hasn’t changed. I had a seat in the front row for last night’s performance, at the side of the stage. Being that close to the actors allowed me to better see the brilliant comic timing of Pippa Nixon, and I also better appreciated how excellent Joanna Horton was as Celia. She was especially appreciated during a song she sings of Orlando’s verses to Rosalind; she got a rousing round of applause from the audience.
And the male actors are also excellent. Alex Waldmann has just the right amount of cluelessness as the tongue-tied lover at the beginning of the play, and the verbal skills of the more loquacious lover in the forest. And Nicolas Tennant’s Touchstone is a memorable character, who, even in a wonderful bit of dumb show following the intermission, brought down the house.
This is a delightful play, which manages to have that touch of magic that every love story contains. Most of the audience left the theatre with smiles on their faces. A wonderful time was had by all, cast and audience alike.
Watch Act III, Scene 2, with Orlando and Rosalind.