Review: As You Like It at the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme*

It is very likely that William Shakespeare wrote As you like it in 1599 and that it was first performed in around 1603. Modern audiences might wonder what a play which is over 420 years old could have to say about life in the contemporary United Kingdom. In their 30th anniversary production, Northern Broadsides answer that question, bringing their bold, refreshing style to Shakespeare’s most musical and much-loved comedy for the very first time to New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-Under-Lyme.

In a court where style and strength are championed over basic human decency, older brother Oliver plots to keep his younger brother, Orlando, from his inheritance and the education that goes with it. At the Head of the court, Duke Senior has been deposed and banished by his brother. Originally allowed to stay at court, Duke Senior’s daughter Rosalind is eventually banished and runs away to the Forest of Arden with her cousin Celia and Touchstone, the court entertainer, as companions. Learning of his brother’s plot against him, Orlando also runs away to the forest, where he meets Rosalind and the two immediately fall in love.

The plot which follows has more twists and turns than a forest path, with the wrong turns proving as funny, intriguing and captivating as the routes which eventually provide the comic ending. On the way to a wedding which eventually involves four couples, almost everyone pretends to be someone else in an elaborate game of fluid identity where time has no meaning, the forces of nature take over and all the world’s a stage.

Northern Broadsides brought a fresh and original interpretation to Shakespeare’s work. With limited cast numbers and staging, every element of the production played a part in adding to the atmosphere – which was in turn melancholy, chaotic and joyous. Sound and music – including live guitar and singing; lighting and even the temperature of the theatre all contributed to the captivating performance. For me, the most successful and imaginative element was the use of costume throughout the evening. As the players switched between characters (some even becoming very disobedient goats for one scene) and between court and countryside, the array of costumes and their different uses was outstanding. Dresses, suits, rails and hat-stands also formed part of the scenery as identities were questioned, masked, changed and revealed throughout the story. Encouraging the audience to think about how we portray ourselves to the outside world, regardless of how we’re really feeling, seemed very relevant in an age obsessed with social media and the cult of celebrity.

The cast and delivery of As you like it could not be faulted. What must have been an emotionally-draining performance was delivered with power or a light touch, as each scene demanded. Joe Morrow as a Touchstone and EM Williams as Rosalind were particularly excellent, even ad-libbing with the audience after the interval – which is probably much more like the performance over 400 years ago than we might imagine. I will admit that some small scenes left me mystified, as the traditional language left me behind, but I was able to follow the story despite these. The whole performance held me captivated from beginning to end and I laughed, was shocked and had tears in my eyes along the way. I would encourage anyone to go and see Northern Broadsides’ performance of ‘As you like it’, as it makes the play relevant and engaging for 21^st century audiences of all persuasions.

When is the next show and how can I purchase tickets?

As you like it will be performed at the New Vic Theatre until Saturday 26^th February. Weekday showings 7.30pm; Saturday showings 2.15pm and 7.30pm. There are no performances on Wednesday 9^th; Wednesday 16^th; Thursday 24^th February and no Sunday performances.

Ticket prices range from £18.50 to £27.50 and can be purchased by calling the Box Office on 01782 717962 or via this link.

Socially distanced performances: 7.30pm on Tuesday 15^th and 2.15pm on Thursday 17^th February.  These performances have fewer people in the audience, for those who would feel more comfortable with some extra space during their visit.

More information on Captioned and Audio Described performance can be found via the Box Office phone number and weblink above.

The show then continues its tour until July 2022. For details of performances at other venues, please see the Northern Broadsides website.

Where is New Vic Theatre?

New Vic Theatre
Etruria Road
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Staffordshire
ST5 0JG

The theatre has a large car park, with a £1.50 charge after 6pm on show days. Only contactless card payment is currently accepted for parking charges.

 The theatre café is open 10am to 3pm, Monday to Saturday – then from 5pm for pre-show meals.

Booking is required for pre-show meals 5pm onwards, via their booking system at this link.

About Northern Broadsides

 12 June 2022 marks 30 years since Northern Broadsides’ first performance, William Shakespeare’s Richard III. Since the company was founded by Barrie Rutter OBE, they have been creating unique classical adaptations – with a Shakespearean focus – and new texts from upcoming writers, from their home at Dean Clough, Halifax. That first performance in 1992 was the beginning of classic plays being performed in real, regional Northern voices; in bold yet accessible ways and taken to a range of unusual venues.

About New Vic Theatre

On 9 October 1962, a converted cinema opened its doors as a theatre, an event that received no mention in the national press. Under the leadership of its founding Director, the late Peter Cheeseman, the Vic company earned an international reputation through its pioneering work in creating verbatim, musical documentaries.

In 1983 an appeal was launched to raise funds for a new theatre.  With local donations totalling over £1 million, the New Vic opened in August 1986.  After twenty-five years work dedicated to the people of North Staffordshire, Cheeseman’s passion and determination finally achieved the first purpose-built theatre-in-the-round in Europe.

Since 2007, under its’ third Artistic Director, the New Vic’s work has developed an increased national and international reach with productions transferring to London and Manchester, and partnerships formed with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre Studio.

Recent awards include Best New Play and nominations for Best Production for Children and Young People at the UK Theatre Awards and Manchester Theatre Awards. The New Vic today is a key cultural centre for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, playing a full part in the cultural, economic and social regeneration of the region.

Review by : Sharon Corbally

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* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.

Photo credit: New Vic Theatre/Andrew Billington