‘As You Like It’ // Ozact
‘As You Like It’ was lively.
“All the world’s a stage”… so begins a monologue by the melancholic traveller Jacques in William Shakespeare’s As You Like It. In this part of the world, the stage happens to be the Williamstown Botanic Gardens. Here, 90 theatre devotees gathered for Ozact’s rendition of the classic comedy, directed by Matt Young and the late Bruce Widdop, and executive-produced by the late Lisa Widdop.
Believed to have been written in 1599, the play tells the story of Rosalind, the daughter of the exiled Duke Senior, and of her love for Orlando, the son of Old Rowland De Boys, an ally of the Duke’s. Both are banished by Senior’s younger brother, Duke Frederick, to the Forest Ardern, where they flirt, tease, philosophise, and play tricks on one another. It’s unusually light on plot for Shakespeare but is recognised for its witty wordplay and humorous approach to the complexities of romantic relationships.
This action was set against the scenery of the Williamstown Botanic Gardens, where a patch of lawn was the stage, and a length of rope was the proscenium. For a backdrop was a Golden Elm, flanked by two towering Palms, and greeting the audience at the entrance were the cast members themselves. This interaction between cast and audience carried over to the performance, where the minimalist production design and immediacy of the setting were so intimate and natural that I felt as if I was hanging out with a group of old friends, rather than watching a contrived stage play. There were also a few songs, mostly performed by Julian Camara and Luke Ingram, their melodies providing a nice counter-balance to the rapid-fire dialogue of the script. During a song, almost as if on cue, the sun burst through for the first time all day, casting dramatic light and shadows onto the faces of the performers.
Because of the episodic nature of the plot and the minimalist design, the success of the play hinged entirely upon the performances. The two leads, Maddie Roberts and Michael Davidson, were dynamic together, with Davidson portraying Orlando as naïve but loveable, and Roberts playing Rosalind as mischievous but kind. Providing rock-solid support were Andy Delves, Sorcha Breen, and Eleanor Ruth, who all brought a wealth of experience and authenticity to their roles. Justin Bell and Petea Stark, playing the jester Touchstone and the countrywoman Audrey respectively, were the heart of the play, and were having so much fun that I couldn’t help but have fun too. Contrasting the frivolity of the piece was director Young, playing Jacques with a sincere and profound sadness. What stood out from all this was the company’s passion and dedication, so much so that they elevated what could in other hands have been a routine experience, into an exciting and memorable one.
It’s become a cliché to say that Shakespeare should be performed and not read, but this is true more for As You Like It than most, since the real joy comes from the performances, and not from the plotting. The passion of the Ozact company comes through in a lively performance that has to be seen to be appreciated.
‘As You Like It’ performs throughout 2024 in various locations. For more information visit the Ozact website.
