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Having never studied this particular William Shakespeare play at school and with little Globe Theatre exposure, I was in two minds whether I could sit through three hours of old English and also pondered if I would find this 1599 comedy funny. So when the production began I was pleasantly surprised at how engaging it was. Concentration, for those who do not follow Shakespeare easily, is definitely needed, but being in a Theatre which is nicely air cooled with comfy seats and lots of leg room makes the whole process more pleasant. 

The comedy is presented by a cast of American and English actors, giving an excellent contrast between characters and the situations they encounter. The play follows its heroine Rosalind as she flees persecution in her uncle's court, accompanied by her cousin Celia and Touchstone, the court jester, to find safety and eventually love, in the Forest of Arden.

Best friends Celia (American) and Rosalind (English) played by Michelle Beck and Juliet Rylance, gel beautifully on stage giving some of the most comical performances of the evening. 

Juliet Rylance

Orlando (Christian Camargo) and Rosalind, who fall in love with one another, work perfectly with their contrasting accents bringing the best out of the characters. The chemistry between the two on stage is amplified by the fact they are married in real life. 

The rest of the cast gave outstanding performances that could not have been faulted, with their energy throughout consistent. The second half of the play for me was the most entertaining, I found myself laughing out loud at many of the comical incidents and scenes, which Shakespeare wrote so brilliantly. 

Christian Camargo

As You Like It ticks all the boxes and is the perfect introduction to anyone, like myself, who would like to get more acquainted with Shakespeare. The play is directed by the talented Sam Mendes as part of The Bridge Project 2009/10.