David Cheetham

The Festival Players production of As you like it was given in a pretty garden in the heart of the Cathedral precincts. Seven actors, all male, took on all the parts, including the four female characters. One man in his time plays many parts – everyone played two or three parts each (sometimes simultaneously! – there’s good directing for you!) and all sang, danced and played instruments too.

The acting was superb, every word clear, and the play was quite hilarious throughout. I don’t think I have ever laughed so much in a Shakespeare production. The sun beat down, and the audience was even provided with sun hats! The play was not, unfortunately, well-attended. This is a really worthwhile part of the festival programme, and we must do all we can in future years to publicise it fully and assure potential audiences of what a professional production they will see.

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