Staged amongst the beautiful gardens of the Guildford College of Law on Portsmouth Road, As You Like It will take audiences on an adventure into the invigorating Forest of Arden, continuing the company's tradition of moving audience with the action.
The experienced cast, who have already been on stage this summer in The Importance of Being Earnest at Guildford Castle Grounds in June, will be joined by TV sitcom star and Surrey resident Penelope Keith CBE who is lending her support fo the company by recording the voice for the Goddess of Marriage who brings the couples together at the end of the play. The company's Matt Pinches will be taking the role of Touchstone the Clown as an old-time music hall comic.
Director Tom Littler (currently nominated for 4 OFFIE nominations including Best Director and Best Play) was last in Guildford directing Penelope Keith in Good Grief at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, and has most recently directed Dances of Death at the Gate in London with actor Michael Pennington. Regular GSC designer Neil Irish will be working his magic with period costumes.
Perhaps Shakespeare's happiest play, and containing one of the Bard's most famous speeches ("All the world's a stage"), GSC's production is set in the carefree summer of 1913 with specially-composed music and songs by Mary McAdam.
Performances are at Guildford College of Law from 17 to 28 July, with a special end of season BBQ available on the final Sunday, 28 July, from 2PM before the 4PM matinée. See www.guildford-shakespeare-company.co.uk for full schedule and details.