An edited version appeared in Time Out
If George Osborne were really serious about relining the country’s coffers, he could do worse than impose a pastoral tax tomorrow. At this time of year, every lawn in the land sprouts a Shakespeare play (All the world… etc. etc.). At 50%, we’d be out of recession by September.
Most such shows rely on generic geniality, and Iris Theatre’s As You Like It is no exception. It is a forward defensive of a production; Ploughman’s lunch Shakespeare with flat caps, floaty shirts and blank verse at its absolute blankest.
That’s a shame because it starts intriguingly, with an Victorian toybox aesthetic that disappears by the time we reach Arden, where there are few distinguishing features beyond Matthew Mellalieu’s bearded Audrey and Tom Deplae strangley jolly Jacques.
Mostly though, this is sans teeth stuff, intended as little more than a charming, tourist trap off Covent Garden Piazza. Emily Tucker and Fiona Geddes are spritely enough as Rosalind and Celia, Joe Forte is a chiselled, Hovis-ad Orlando.
Nonetheless, Tessa Battisti’s sculptural designs of wilting wicker and looming flowers compliment the attractive blooms of the Actors’ Church gardens and – weather permitting – you could easily spend a pleasant three hours alongside Daniel Winder’s production, escaping the bustle of the West End.
0 comments:
Post a Comment