Shakespeare at its best
With rich costumes from the Old Vic and some clever lighting, Midas Productions returns this year with As You Like It
After last year’s huge success with Shakespeare’s raucous comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor, Bristol Old Vic returns to Cyprus this month to perform another great classic, As You Like It.
The production is already on tour in England, playing to packed houses and critical acclaim. Traditionally one of the most popular of Shakespeare’s plays, As You Like It is a mix of drama and comedy set against a fantastical setting, proving an attractive combination for audiences through the centuries.
The story centres around two lovers, Orlando and Rosalind, who have to flee their home, under persecution from the usurper Duke Frederick, ending up in the magical forest of Arden. Set in this pastoral paradise, the play presents a comical but penetrating exploration of the nature of true love as Rosalind is set to find out the verity of Orlando’s supposed passion for her. As with most of Shakespeare’s comedies, there are evil dukes, wise nobles, ridiculous jesters and plenty of cross-dressing, all of which combine to make As You Like It a joy to watch.
The producers of the play, Patrick Myles and Andreas Tselepos, have been making waves in London and New York respectively. Tselepos is now at the world famous Actor’s Studio in New York, directing theatre productions off Broadway. Myles’ acting work continues alongside his producing, and he has recently been nominated for the Enterprising Young Brits Award as well as the Society of London Theatre Young Producer Award.
As an ex-student of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Myles was determined to bring their high-quality drama performances to Cyprus. “When I first had the notion of trying to convince my drama school to come over to Cyprus last year, I knew it was a long shot. They are notorious for being picky with their venues and I knew it would take a lot to convince them,” Myles explained.
Last year’s production turned out to be a great success and all fears about audiences being scared about little-known Shakespeare were dispelled as people showed up in droves, especially in Paphos, to appreciate the talent and energy the Bristol students showed in presenting the farcical plot of Merry Wives.
This year’s production aims to be equally exciting, and Myles is enthusiastic about returning here. “Producing this play was particularly special for me, as it continues my association with Old Vic, and it allows me to bring them to Cyprus to show them the natural beauty of the place where I grew up, as well as introduce them to the theatrical gems that are the amphitheatres we have here. I’m only disappointed I can’t be acting in the show as well as producing!” said Myles.
Home to the famous monologue, ‘All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players’, As You Like It stresses the complexity of life, and the simultaneous pleasures and pains of being human. On one level, the play was intended as simple amusement with several scenes made up of songs and joking banter. On a deeper level however, it provides opportunities for its main characters to discuss the subjects of love, ageing, the natural world and death. At its centre, As You Like It presents us with the respective worldviews of Jaques, a melancholy pessimist preoccupied by the negative aspects of life, and Rosalind, the play’s Christian heroine, who recognises life’s difficulties but holds fast to a kind, playful, and wise attitude. In the end, the enjoyment that we receive from the play’s comical aspects is reinforced and validated by a humanistic philosophy gently woven into the text.
“This play is heralded as Shakespeare at his best, combining high comedy and drama with some of his finest speeches and poetry,” enthused Myles. “Using Old Vic’s trademark fantastic costumes with very little set and clever lighting, the emphasis will be on the talent of the performers and the strength of the text to ensure the play shines through”. As the actors on stage bring this classic comedy to life, audiences are ensured an enjoyable theatrical night under the stars this month.
As You Like It
William Shakespeare’s raucous comedy by Midas Touch Productions in association with the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
June 18 and 19. Curium Amphitheatre, Paphos. 8.30pm. £10. Tel: 99-081508/ 99-631074.
June 21. Ancient Odeon, Paphos. 8.30pm. £10. Tel: 99-081508/ 99-631074.
June 22 Russian Cultural Centre, Nicosia. 8.30pm. £10. Tel: 99-081508/ 99-631074.
Tickets can be bought from Moufflon Bookshop, www.midastouchproductions.com or e-mail: [email protected]
