A lively presentation of Shakespeare’s As You Like It delighted a crowd at Charles Hoey Park last week.
They had turned out to see the fourth annual theatre-in-the-park preview of the Shawnigan Players’ summer production on Aug. 1, one of the final offerings of The 39 Days of July festival.
Click on the above image for photo gallery.
The beloved comedy hits the stage in earnest at the Gem o’ the Isle in Cowichan Station tonight, Aug. 12 for a shortened run.
The Players had hoped to start a two-play festival this year but when illness hit the director of the second play the idea was shelved for another season, according to Alex Gallacher, who is directing As You Like It.
So, if you want to take your family for a really entertaining time out in the orchard at Cowichan Station, get those tickets now.
As You Like It offers lots of fun and funny for every kind of theatregoer.
This is Shakespeare after all. He wrote for everyone, from the illiterates in the pit to the royals and intellectuals in the boxes, and everyone saw and enjoyed what they wished.
As with last year’s Romeo and Juliet, there’s plenty of physical action plus, of course, As You Like It whirls in the ridiculous situation of a pretty girl pretending to be a boy.
Actually a lot of people are not what they seem in this play. You’ve got an old duke who’s hiding in the forest, his son who’s been raised to a plebeian life, his brother who will do almost anything to hide his true motives, a well-born girl who decides to become a boy and attracts the attention (and desire) of a pretty country maiden.
The plot thickens.
There are some excellent performances to be enjoyed in this show.
Like a wily hockey coach, director Alex Gallacher has gone for strength down the centre, building a sound production around wonderful characterizations by his daughter, Hannah (Rosalind), Jacob Dennison (Orlando), Laura Faulkner (Celia), Marinus Vesseur (Oliver), and Bob Norris (Duke Senior).
There’s also plenty of comedy from Ashton Arden (Touchstone), Julie Watson (Jaques) and the bucolic lovers, Connor Lachmanec (Silvius) and Phebe (Cecilia Dennison) plus solid backup work from the rest of the cast.
This is indeed an outdoor performance, with chairs set up in the orchard, and the venue and the plays at the Gem o’ the Isle really attract families with children.
They’re encouraged, too, according to Gallacher, who pointed out to the crowd on Aug. 1 that there is a package ticket price offered just so people can bring their kids.
Shows are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. nightly with a 2 p.m. matinée performance only on Aug. 16.
Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the gate. Family passes (one adult with up to four children or two adults with up to three children) are available for $35 in advance or $40 at the gate.
Advance tickets are available at Ten Old Books, Mason’s Store, or email shawniganplayers@gmail.com to reserve.
