As You Like It is a charming update of Shakespeare’s comedy – review
As You Like It is the first original show programmed by the new-for-2022 @sohoplace theatre in London’s West End. The venue opened in the autumn with a transfer of Marvellous, and is now staging its first show proper in the form of Josie Rourke’s take on this classic Shakespeare comedy.
It’s a delight for the eyes and ears; the venue is gorgeous and what unfolds on-stage is equally appealing to look at. It’s not quite a musical, but there’s certainly a lot of music here; there are songs based on Shakespeare’s sonnets and a grand piano is present throughout, with incidental music underscoring many of the scenes.
Strictly Come Dancing winner Rose Ayling-Ellis takes on the role of an endearing Celia – she’s a joy to watch. The play has not been substantially re-worked to facilitate a deaf actor in a lead role, although there are now surtitles which initially took a little getting used to.
Referring to these soon became second nature, however, and there are some amusing sound effects and stage directions captured by the captions.
