As You Like It (It does live up to it's name!)

I also watched As You Like It: Live from Shakespeare's Globe.

Having been to the Globe this summer, it was very enjoyable for me to watch another production from a different angle this time. This previous experience with the venue helped  me understand what it would have been like to watch this production in particular.

Although the overall tone of the play was quite comedic and light, there were quite a few parts of the play that seemed to come across as somewhat somber and heartfelt. For example, the "Seven ages of man" speech that Jacques gives was delivered with a sincerity that seemed almost uncharacteristic of his usually comic character. These sections, rather than seeming disconnected with the play, made it seem more genuine and interesting than an all-out comedic play would have.

Like both Jessica and Katherine, I enjoyed seeing the interaction the actors had with the audience. Having been a groundling myself, I know that when the actors interact with you, you get all the more excited about being there and you feel like you are a part of Shakespeare. For example, it was entertaining to see Orlando throwing out the poems to the crowd and Jacques pointing to the young boys as he was giving his "Seven ages of man" speech. Those connections with the audience aren't something that can be as readily felt in a filmed version of the play, but the general playful nature of the production still comes across as you see this interaction.

I admired the ability of the actors to transition between a variety of settings with almost no props. The props were unnecessary because the actors were entertainment enough. I think this production by the Globe was close to the way in which Shakespeare would want it to be performed--unassuming, funny, and full of witty entertainment.