As You Like It
16 July – 1 September 2001
Magdalen College School Grounds
In association with
OXFORD STAGE COMPANY
INTRODUCTION
This initially gloomy play of warring families and banishment later became a show with hilarious comic turns, catchy songs and an enchanting - though far from straightforward - love story. The show involved significant doubling: Justin Webb for example, played no less than four parts. As You Like It was directed by Charlotte Conquest who revived this production as part of Creation's 10th Anniversary summer season in 2005.
REVIEWS
"Since 1996, Creation Theatre Company’s exemplary productions ...combining as they do top-class acting and innovative staging with uniquely beautiful surroundings. This year’s As You Like It is no exception to the rule: wonderfully accessible yet satisfyingly intelligent; packed with good ideas yet respectful of the text; this is the essence of Creation Theatre’s Shakespeare.
…As You Like It is, first and foremost, a comedy of words – a Shakespearean tour de force of wit and repartee, with just enough poetry and pathos to give it a satisfying depth. This is where Creation really excel, declaiming the verse with a crystal clarity and sensitivity of meaning which makes it a joy to listen to. Creation have the gift of making Shakespeare effortless to understand, allowing the play to amuse and entertain as it was intended to, as well as adding some humorous touches of their own.
…Creation Theatre provide an exemplary display of Shakespearean acting, a good opportunity to appreciate one of Shakespeare’s funniest comedies, and a wonderful way to spend a summer evening in Oxford."
DAILY INFORMATION
"Creation Theatre’s production of As You Like It in the grounds of Magdalen College School is no disappointment.
…Like all good interpretations of Shakespeare, this one throws new light on the words, emphasising that emotions like love and hate are common to both courtiers and shepherds and no less real when they are expressed in common language. When Pheobe takes out her copy of Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus, we know exactly how she feels and Shakespeare is brought bang up to date."
THE OXFORD MAIL
ARTISTIC TEAM AND CAST
Director Charlotte Conquest
Designer Soutra Gilmour
Choreographer Aiden Treays
Voice Coach Beth Allen
Kate Copeland - Celia
Sarah Corbett - Phebe/Audrey
Ben Fox - Touchstone/Amiens
Luke Healy - Orlando
Andrew Muir - Corin/Oliver
Alison Pettit - Rosalind
Justin Webb - Dukes Fredericks and Senior/Sir Oliver Martext
Noel White - Jacques/Silvius