Shakespeare Meets Circus in Immersive AS YOU LIKE IT at The Savill Garden
By: Marianka Swain Jun. 01, 2016
Run away with the circus this summer and weave your way through an array of hidden gardens and spectacular lawns at The Savill Garden in this immersive production of Shakespeare's much loved AS YOU LIKE IT from 22 June to 24 July 2016.
Forced into exile by their own families, heroine Rosalind and Orlando, a young gentleman of the kingdom, venture deep into the Forest of Arden where they encounter 'The Golden Age'; a mesmerising travelling circus which has taken up residence beneath the canopy. Masquerading as Ganymede, Rosalind embarks on a journey of love lessons and romantic trickery, before stumbling across one of Duke Senior's noblemen, Jacques, who fully embraces the circus folk and continually reflects on the futility of life and love as a motley fool.
A story of transformation, As You Like It challenges conventional ideas of love and lust, blurs gender roles and muses on the absurdity of life in this brilliant pastoral comedy. The play unfolds in Britain's finest ornamental garden and concludes extravagantly with a triple wedding where the audience and company are encouraged to come together in a boisterous, acrobatic, musical celebration indulging in food and drink from the finest local suppliers, including Leiths, Sipsmiths, Pol Roger, Fever tree & Windsor and Eton Brewery.
As You Like It will celebrate the best of the British summertime with a delicious wedding breakfast provided by award-winning caterers Leiths, whose mouth-watering menu will provide a sensational finale to the performance. Hampers filled to bursting with scrumptious food and confetti will be available to purchase in advance, truly making audiences feel as if they are one of the wedding guests. Drinks will also be available to purchase, as a hidden bush bar will be serving everything from a Fever Tree and Sipsmiths London Cup to a sloe gin & bitter lemon & G&T, to Pol Roger Champagne and a nice cold beer from the local Windsor and Eton Brewery. All of the delicious menus are available on Watch Your Head's website, details of which can be found below.
Anna Lukis has been cast as the strong and beautiful character of Rosalind, whose confidence and assured nature put her years ahead of her contemporaries. Jack Bannell will be taking on the role of the manic and melancholy Jacques, whilst the psychotic and evil Duke Frederick will be brought to life by Mark Carlisle. Lewis Goody will take on the role of the devastatingly handsome Orlando, whilst his menacing and dangerous brother will be played by James Hardy. Molly Hanson will be portraying the flirtatious and fickle Celia, whilst Owen Young will perform two roles, The Duke's Lord and Adam. Rose Riley will be playing both the role of the self-proclaimed talentless Audrey and the loyal and musical Amiens. The fantastic performers making up the travelling circus scene consist of Jonah Russell, Josie-Beth Davies and Luke Chadwick Jones, who between them have careers spanning the globe, from Colombia's Circa Para Todos to the UK's Kangaroos Gymnastics Display team.
WATCH YOUR HEAD aim to create exciting theatrical experiences and celebrate classic texts in remarkable and unique settings. Following the success of their immersive open-air production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, they will celebrate the 400-year legacy of Shakespeare's work.
Cast - Anna Lukis (Rosalind), Jack Bannell (Jacques), James Hardy (Oliver), Lewis Goody (Orlando), Mark Carlisle (Duke Frederick/Duke Senior), Molly Hanson (Celia), Owen Young (Adam/The Duke's Lord), Rose Riley (Audrey/Amiens), Jonah Russell(Corine), Luke Chadwick Jones (Silvius), Oliver Grant (Touchstone), Jose-Beth Davies (Phebe).
WEDNESDAY 22 JUNE - SUNDAY 24 JULY 2016
7pm start, with access to gardens from 6.30pm
Wednesday 22 June - Sunday 26 June
Wednesday 29 June - Sunday 3 July
Wednesday 6 July - Sunday 10 July
Wednesday 13 July - Sunday 17 July
Wednesday 20 July - Sunday 24 July
TICKETS
Adults: £35
Concessions: £25 (0 - 16 years. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult)
Tickets include parking, garden entrance and immersive theatre performance.
http://www.seetickets.com/event/open-air-immersive-as-you-like-it/savill-garden/940733
GREAT WINDSOR PARK, THE SAVILL GARDEN
Directions: http://www.theroyallandscape.co.uk/visitor-information/how-to-find-us/
Map: http://www.theroyallandscape.co.uk/media/78079/The_Savill_Garden_Map.pdf
CREATIVE TEAM
Sasha McMurray - Director
Sara Langridge - Producer
Claire Hughes - Associate Producer
Annina Pfuel - Costume Designer
Bruno Major - Music Director
Rachel Darwood - Stage Manager
Edward Beedham - Deputy Stage Manager
Thomas Michael Voss - Choreographer
Maria Lopiano - Company Manager
COMPANY
Anna Lukis - Rosalind
James Hardy - Oliver
Josie Beth Davies - Phebe
Jonah Russell - Corine
Lewis Goody - Orlando
Jack Bannell - Jacques
Luke Chadwick-Jones - Silivius
Mark Carlisle - Duke Senior/Duke Frederick
Molly Hanson - Celia
Oliver Grant - Touchstone
Owen Young - Adam/The Duke's Lord
Rose Riley - Amiens/Audrey
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