“As You Like It” by The Royal Shakespeare Company
Nottingham Theatre Royal

This production is the reason why I love Shakespeare so much. If anyone dare to say that Shakespeare is not for today and is not funny, then go and see this production with its'audience involvement, on and off stage, jokes and even a mention of Strictly complete with glitter balls.

Duke Senior (Antony Byrne) has been forced into exile from the court by Duke Frederick. He takes refuge in the Forest of Arden with a band of faithful lords. Rosalind (Lucy Phelps), his daughter, is kept at court as a companion to her cousin Celia (Sophie Khan-Levy), Frederick's daughter.

Orlando de Boys (David Ajao), the youngest son of the late Sir Rowland de Boys, has been kept in poverty by his brother Oliver (Leo Wan) since his father's death. Orlando decides to wrestle for his fortune at Frederick's court, where he sees Rosalind and they fall in love.

The Duke banishes Rosalind, fearing that she is a threat to his rule. Celia, refusing to be parted from her cousin, goes with Rosalind to seek Duke Ferdinand in the Forest. For safety they disguise themselves - Rosalind as the boy Ganymede and Celia as his sister Aliena - and persuade the fool Touchstone to accompany them.

On hearing of a plot by his brother to kill him, Orlando also flees to the Forest and takes refuge with the exiled Duke. Posting love lyrics through the forest - and the audience -, Orlando encounters Rosalind disguised as Ganymede. She challenges his love-sick state and suggests that he should prove the strength of his love by wooing Ganymede as if he were Rosalind.

Elsewhere in the Forest love also blossoms: the shepherd Silvia (Amelia Donkor) suffers unrequited love for Phoebe (Laura Elseworthy), who has fallen for Ganymede, while Touchstone (Sandy Grierson) is pursuing the goat-herder Audrey (Charlotte Arrowsmith).

Oliver, sent into the Forest to hunt down Orlando, has his life saved by his brother, becomes filled with remorse for his past behaviour and falls in love with Aliena.

Frustrated by the pain of his love for Rosalind, Orlando is unable to continue wooing Ganymede, so Ganymede promises he will conjure up the real Rosalind and that all the lovers will finally be wed..... And if this were Hollywood, they would all ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after.

One of the Bard's most comical of scripts, and this cast, as with yesterday's "Measure For Measure" bring out these comic lines beautifully, presenting them for an any age audience, and this is why I have always felt that teens should experience Shakespeare in his natural habitat - the stage - to get the full enjoyment of his works.

I must highlight the specific comedy talents of Sandy Grierson though as "the fool" Touchstone with his garish, crazy outfits and his comic talents, even making a quick amendment to part of the stage seem part of the story,and name checking Shakespeare within the play itself.

Directed by Kimberley Sykes, she has magnified the comedy through these actors and has done an amazing job with this production, utilising not only the stage but the auditorium as well.

The music performed in the play is beautifully delivered and arranged and is befitting of the tone and feel of the piece. A real enhancement to a true classic.

The set uses the backbone of the "Measure For Measure" set but towards the end of this production there is a BIG addition to the set which is wonderful.

This is the first time, as far as I can remember, seeing this play, and, if I see another production of it, I really hope that it can match, or at least come close to this modern,magical and mirthful production.

"All The World's A Stage" and on this stage this play is world class, and I will love this production forever and a day. You will too if you go and see it.

"As You Like It" is at the Nottingham theatre Royal on Friday 28 February, Saturday 29 February (matinee) and Thursday 5 March.