AS YOU LIKE IT

Four centuries before Hollywood invented its famous boy-meets-girl rom-coms, Shakespeare was writing romantic comedies such as As You Like it, featuring unforgettable young people like Rosalind, Orlando, Celia and Oliver. In this play, he moves the group from the Court and city to the Forest of Arden, where they disguise themselves, play different roles and fall head over heels in love. In our adaptation, we explore the pros and cons of life in the forest, foregrounding the melancholic figure of Jaques, an ecologist ante litteram. We also delve into the gender identities of the lead characters from a female perspective. When a woman (Emma Burdett) playing Rosalind, who’s playing Ganymede, who’s playing a fictitious Rosalind, meets the gorgeous Orlando (Melissa Marino), sparks fly, as well as confusion and laughter. On the way, Shakespeare poses some important questions about our environment and about gender identities, both of which still chime loud in today’s world. Join us and sing along!

Our adaptation represents a reduced version of Shakespeare’s comedy based on a workshop designed for native and advanced English speakers, both professionals and non-professionals, who are passionate about theatre and Shakespeare. The adaptation is in an English that has been slightly modernized, while some of the songs have been reworked.

ETM are very grateful to Vicar Vickie Sims and the wardens at All Saints Church, and Donatella Massimilla, director of Spazio Alda Merini, for kindly hosting our play. We thank the Moltrasio family and friends for donating some of the costumes. Our sincere thanks to Amy Barton and the Milan Singers for teaming up with us for this show.

Sal Cabras and Maggie Rose, directors of English Theatre Milan.