As You Like It at Maynardville Open-Air Theatre
Preview 7 January - 9 January , Opening 10 January - 14 February 2009
Maynardville Open-Air Theatre, soon to be transformed into the Forest of Arden, will host Shakespeare’s As You Like It from January 7, 2009. This production, unabashedly romantic and flat-out funny, celebrates the joy of losing your heart and finding your soul.
As You Like It will be directed by lauded Shakespeare director, Geoffrey Hyland (Maynardville: Macbeth 2004, Twelfth Night 2006). He will be assisted by Dicky Longhurst (Costumes), Daniel Galloway (Set), William Baker (Music) and Jay Pather (Choreography), Leigh Anderson (Assistant Director). Starring in this production will be Lika Berning (Rosalind), Gys de Villiers (Duke Senior and Duke Frederick), Astara Mwakalumbwa (Celia), Nicola Hanekom (Phebe), Mark Elderkin (Touchstone) together with a full cast.
As You Like It, one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, is a rollicking comedy which blends sophisticated wit, rustic wrestling and clever clowning. Set in the fabled Forest of Arden, a magical land where fools philosophize, broken hearts are mended and good triumphs over evil.
As You Like It opens on Saturday, January 10 at 20:15; special previews are on January 7, 8, 9 at 20:15 and January 12 and 13 at 19:45 – two tickets for the price of one (two tickets for R100 or R140). Pensioners and students enter at R60 per person, half an hour prior to the beginning of the performance. Click here to book at Computicket.
Public Feedback
It was a beautiful night - calm and not cold with a moon partly hidden and partly visible most of the night. Perfect setting. Thought some of the leads gave really good performances, particularly the delightful Rosalind, Orlando, Gys in both roles, Claire and Guy whose stillness and melanchnoly mien was such a welcome contrast to the rather frenetic comic stuff from the rustics. His All the World's a Stage was one of the best renderings I have heard. Made me think of Blaise.
