As you like it. One of the plays currently playing at American Players Theatre, Spring Green, Wisconsin, is “As you like it”, written by William Shakespeare, and directed by Tim Ocel. APT, is a nice theatre situated in the hills near Spring Green, a picnic before the play is recommended, and the venue almost calls for it. I was to attend the 6pm show.
The play is set in the “American dustbowl”, with the audience being greeted by a sombre, almost morose set, made of grey timber siding, painted with trees, crates, boxes and chain link fences. There are several stage entrances and exits, put in well so they can be used in a variety of scenarios. I am inadequately aware of the Great Depression, to link what I saw on stage. Though, I know that it was a time after which America rose exponentially, it was a time for change. According to me, “As you like it” is a play about change. There is a preset condition, of a Duke, who is banished by his own brother, Frederick, and is in exile in the Forest of Arden with some of his loyal followers. His Daughter, Rosalind, is allowed to stay in the kingdom, to accompany Duke Frederick’s daughter, Celia. The Great depression was a time of great hardship, akin to the fate of duke senior.
The play begins with Orlando, the youngest son of Sir Rowland de boys, angered by his elder brother, Oliver’s ill-treatment. He will be contesting the Duke’s wrestler, Charles in a wrestling match the following day. Oliver, who hates Orlando, happy about that, pays Charles to kill him. Oliver, however, wins the match, and also takes a fancy to Rosalind. Rosalind is also banished from the court , and is accompanied by Celia, and Touchstone, the court fool. They disguise themselves, Rosalind as Ganymede, a boy, Celia, his sister, Aliena. They too, escape to Arden. Orlando, also escapes his brother’s murderous plot, with his servant, Adam, they too, go to Arden. The Duke takes all of Oliver’s estate, so he is also forced to go to Arden in search of his Brother. This part of the play uses costumes styled from the 1930’s, with a Mafia-look to the Duke’s men, and a cowboy/farmhand style on the locals. Several lingual references are made to the 1930’s with some folk language, which, maybe diluting the effect to purists, but at the same time, gives the audience something they are familiar with, and lightens up the atmosphere.
Once all the characters are in the forest, Ganymede soon finds out about a certain youth, writing lovelorn poetry dedicated to Rosalind on the barks of trees. She (He) finds him, and devises a way to have him meet her(him) to woo Ganymede, pretending is Rosalind, who she actually is. The play gets more playful at this point, with Rosalind, as Ganymede, and Orlando, sharing good on stage chemistry, Ganymede is not very feminine, merely “effeminate”. This makes the play more interesting and seemingly more colourful. Hay-bales are added as props at this time, for a softer appearance on stage. This radically changes the scene, making it more colourful and cheerful. There is a 20 minute intermission.
After the break, we are welcomed once more by the more cheerful set, and a solemn burial of Adam, the faithful servant. Duke Frederick has put together an army, and is pursuing his daughter Celia. Meanwhile Rosalind finds her Father, the Duke, while in disguise, she however, does not reveal her identity. There is more frolicking in the Forest, with Oliver, who has had a sea-change in his attitude towards his brother falling in love with Aliena, Touchstone with Audrey, and Silvius with Phebe. There is the addition of a whole “Spring time” song in country music, and more jabs at popular culture. It then turns out that Rosalind will come to the rescue of the distraught lovers, and promises them to be in wedlock the following day.
The closing scene shows us everyone in the forest, together, ready to be in wedlock, Rosalind finally reveals herself to her Father and Orlando. Hymen, the god of marriage, enters, blessing the couples. We then hear from a courtier that Duke Frederick also has had a heart change, and has relinquished the kingdom to Duke Senior. The play ends with an epilogue from Rosalind, who seems unsure of herself, but soon gains confidence. She then addresses the audience and bids farewell.
The play seems well set in the 1930’s “dustbowl”, The exile all the characters are in fits with the theme, with all of them living a difficult and hard life, but each one rises to the occasion. There are several omissions from the original script, but not severe. There are several additions, which are more legible, they may not always fit in well with the candour and humour, which is actually set in a sort of melancholy, but they give small breaks to the audience in the theatre. There always seems to be a lot of turmoil, and imbalance in the goings-on of the play, and it never settles down until the finale when all is well, and everything turns out right. The play is a celebration of the human spirit, to endure, rise and succeed.
Pranav Naik
Architecture+Design 