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Regional Reviews: Washington, D.C. As You Like It Also see Susan's review of Julius Caesar William Shakespeare's comedy As You Like It is driven more by character than by plot, which is a problem in Michael Attenborough's current production at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington. The performers are amiable enough, but only a few strike a spark; the pacing is lethargic and the overall effect is calm, even soporific at times. Jonathan Fensom's minimalist scenic design in the Lansburgh Theatre consists of little more than paneled walls for the court of Duke Frederick (Timothy D. Stickney) and curtains representing the greenery of the Forest of Arden. It's clever, but that's about it. Fensom shows more imagination in his time-blurring costumes, which range from lavish Victorian ball gowns to sleek 1930s men's suits. The engine of the play is Rosalind (Zoë Waites), niece of Duke Frederick; he stole the title from Rosalind's father Duke Senior (also Stickney), who went into hiding in the forest with several like-minded nobles. After a violent disagreement with Duke Frederick, Rosalind flees for her life, disguised as a young man and accompanied by her cousin Celia (Adina Verson). They settle on the outskirts of the forest as "Ganymede," a shepherd, and his sister "Aliena." Coincidentally, Orlando (Andrew Veenstra) is also on the run, from both his murderous older brother Oliver (Gregory Wooddell) and the duke. Orlando and Rosalind met briefly on one occasion at court, so of course she pines for him and he spends most of his time writing poetry in her honor. "Ganymede" helps move things along. Waites gives a lovely, poised, and multi-leveled performance, but it's Derek Smith as the melancholy philosopher Jaques who demands the audience's attention: his performance of the Seven Ages of Man speech is spellbinding in its directness and clarity. Also providing flashes of light in the long production are Andrew Weems as the aging fool Touchstone and Valeri Mudek, artless and funny as the lovelorn shepherdess Phoebe. Shakespeare Theatre Company |
