Fab fun: As You Like It mixes Shakespearean comedy with the music of The Beatles
Theatre Calgary production directed by Daryl Cloran runs Feb. 27 to March 24
What do Shakespeare, The Beatles and a little wrestling have in common? Theatre Calgary’s upcoming production of As You Like It, that’s what.
The show was conceived by director Daryl Cloran, currently the artistic director of Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre, and Vancouver’s Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. It combines William Shakespeare’s 1599 comedy with two-dozen 1960s tunes by The Fab Four.
“It’s a blast. I don’t know if I’ve ever had so much fun in a show. We (the cast) are laughing the whole time,” says Chelsea Rose, who has portrayed Rosalind for nearly a year in the production’s previous outings in Vancouver and Washington, D.C.
Cloran’s adaptation is set in the 1960s in both Vancouver
and the Okanagan. The story sees Dame Frances banish her niece Rosalind (Rose) from the city. Rosalind, along with her cousin, flees to the forest disguised as a man named Ganymede. While there, she discovers her love, Orlando, has also sought refuge in the forest from his brother.
Orlando is pining for Rosalind — the love he left behind. (He doesn’t recognize that Ganymede is, actually, Rosalind.) With all these mixed identities, it’s chaos with a Beatles soundtrack.
“As You Like It is a comedy and a big love story. It really fits with The Beatles,” asserts Rose. “It’s brilliantly put together. Most every song advances the story and makes it easier for the audience to understand what’s going on.”
The show has also been something of an education in Beatles music, Rose says, admitting her knowledge didn’t originally go much past their most popular hits. She adds that the pop music and 20th century storyline goes well with Shakespeare’s writing.
“A lot of the stories Shakespeare told are the same stories we’re telling today, stories of humanity, love and connection. You can use words from almost any musical genre to support that,”
As You Like It is a comedy and a big love story. It really fits with The Beatles.”
Rose says.
Twenty minutes prior to the opening curtain, a live band — which also provides instrumentation throughout the production — takes to the stage to warm up the audience. The pre-show includes a large dance number and All Star Wrestling-themed scene.
“We want the crowd to feel they are coming to a wrestling match.… It establishes the atmosphere and revs up the excitement,” explains Rose.
Wrestling is pivotal in the Shakespeare original, for it’s at the wrestling ring where Rosalind first meets Orlando … and things are set in motion that necessitate his escape.
“This show is great for people who love Shakespeare and, also, for people who are scared of the Bard. Everyone will understand what is going on throughout the show, even if they don’t understand the text,” Rose says.
“It’s accessible, exciting and, honestly, a really good time.”
To learn more or to buy tickets for the show, visit Theatrecalgary.com.