The Metamorphosis of As You Like It
Reviewed by Mary Alderson
As You Like It in 2025 is a study in contrasts: It begins in a drab farm setting, surrounded by pallets piled with sacks of what appears to be grain. Workers are wearing dull parkas, trying to keep warm as snow falls. Everyone seems miserable. Gunshots ring out. Then after intermission, flowers are blooming in the Forest of Arden. People are wearing colourful clothing, and there’s cheerful music.
Director Chris Abraham deserves credit for this metamorphosis. The audience left for intermission feeling very glum, but upon their return, were treated to the gardener tending colourful spring flowers.
The evil Duke Frederick (Sean Arbuckle) has taken over the territory of his sister, the Duchess (Seana McKenna) and banished her to the Forest of Arden. He treats his workers with disdain and has armed guards taking shots at those who aren’t loyal to him. Meanwhile, the Duchess’s daughter, Rosalind (Sara Farb) and her cousin Celia who is Duke Fredericks’s daughter (Makambe K. Simamba) meet Orlando (Christopher Allen) whose work has been criticized by his older brother Oliver (Andrew Chown). Eventually, these characters and many others end up in the Forest.
After a gloomy Act I, we are very happy to see Touchstone (Steve Ross) who immediately lightens up the dour tone. At the end of intermission, Ross takes to the stage, chatting with audience members and telling clever jokes. I’m not sure if this was just an opening night bit, or if he does this at each performance. In any case, it was a welcome change from the show’s sombre first act.
Touchstone ends up marrying Audrey, played by Silvae Mercedes. Ross and Mercedes supply most of the show’s humour, some of it bawdy, but fun nonetheless. Both have impeccable comedic timing, whether they are baa-ing like sheep or providing physical entertainment with their antics.
But it is Sara Farb as Rosalind who owns the show. When she disguises herself as Ganymede, a young man, you actually begin to believe she is male. You feel that her love for Orlando is genuine, not just a crush. She is convincing as she leads Orlando along. I’ve seen other Rosalind/Ganymede characters who are not believable, and they make Orlando seem simple for not recognizing that they are young women. Farb is able to get the audience invested in her metamorphosis and Christopher Allen as Orlando, with his passion, makes it all believable.
Credit goes to set and customer designer Julie Fox for the huge contrasts in As You Like It. The heavy, dull coats of Act I give way to the bright, colour dresses of Act II. Similarly, the snow scattered on the brown burlap evolves into the daffodils and greenery of spring.
Music for this show was created by Ron Sexsmith and Thomas Ryder Payne. Sexsmith is a Canadian singer-songwriter and Juno award winner, while Payne is sound designer for As You Like It and Ransacking Troy, in his 15th season at Stratford Festival. The music of Act II moves toward creating a party atmosphere, and eventually builds to a wonderful wedding dance.
Sara Farb continues her outstanding performance to the very end, when she presents the epilogue. She draws us in to Shakespeare’s words convincing us it is entirely appropriate and very important to have a woman do the epilogue, even though it isn’t the standard. She also makes us believe in her ability to conjure the results of this story, just as Shakespeare intended.
From a dull and nasty beginning to a glorious and joyful conclusion, the transformation taking place in As You Like It makes this play more compelling: A production worthy of kicking off the 62nd season.
One final note about the 2025 opening of Stratford Festival. When the first chords of O Canada were played, the entire audience was immediately on their feet in the full house. Never before has the national anthem been sung so loudly and enthusiastically.
As You Like It continues in repertory until October 24 at the Festival Theatre, Stratford. Tickets are available at the Stratford Festival at 1-800-567-1600, or check www.stratfordfestival.ca
Photo: Sara Farb as Rosalind (centre) with members of the company in As You Like It. Stratford Festival 2025. Photo by David Hou.
As You Like It
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Chris Abraham
Original Music by Ron Sexsmith and Thomas Ryder Payne
Performed by Sara Farb, Christopher Allen, Andrew Chone, Ashley Dingwell, Aaron Krohn, Sean Arbuckle, Seana McKenna, Steve Ross, Makambe K. Simam, Jessica B. Hill, Jeff Lillico, Hiro Kanagawa, Gabriel Antonacci, Silvae Mercedes, Evan Mercer, John Ng, Michael Man, Joe Perry, Leon Qin, Norman Yeung et al.
Festival Theatre, Stratford
May 3 to October 24, 2025
Reviewed by Mary Alderson