The written play of As You Like It is quite different from the Globe Theatre production. I have to say, it made some parts clearer, while it entirely surprised me in other parts. For one thing, the scene where Jaques admires Touchstone as a "fool" (Act 2.7 lines 12 to 34) I suppose made the hidden meaning clearer- I admit I hadn't quite gotten the lewd symbolism behind it, and it quite surprised me... The characters they portrayed through the play were pretty much as I thought: Orlando determined and righteous, Oliver annoyingly smug, Adam fatherly. Touchstone was a touch more insane than I had imagined, and Duke Senior a bit more happy and free than I had thought. What I hadn't expected were the personalities of Celia and Rosalind. For some reason, I had thought their personalities were the opposite of what they were in Globe Theatre production. I had an image in my mind that Celia was the calm one and Rosalind the more outgoing one- but it is almost the opposite. Rosalind was level-headed, and when it came for their decision to leave, Rosalind was the unsure one and Celia was the hopeful and excited one. Celia, while nurturing and kind, was also a bit sillier, even pessimistic a bit and more confident. The two were a lot more "girly" and giggly than I had thought too. But seeing the play in front of me, the characters became a bit more real. It also became clearer how this play is actually a comedy. I had wondered before, what were the really funny moments, and now seeing it in action, I understand.
The way the play was presented was nicely done. There was the contrast of the court and the Forest of Arden- in the court there were drums, to create apprehension, and there was constant fighting. In the forest, there was always happy music, singing from Amiens, and bird tweeting in the background. I could just feel the change. The actual background scenery wasn't that impressive (the mere change of black poles to wooden), but understandable. They change the scenes so fast that the characters barely have time to run off before more come on. I also noticed that the clothes helped contrast the court and the forest. In the court, things were worn properly, with collars, buttoned jackets, and fancy dresses with lots of lace. In the forest however, Duke Senior, Jaques, and all the other lords were ruffled and dirty. They sat around campfires and on the ground. They were also more free. Not in the physical sense- in both settings the characters moved around a lot fully utilizing the broad space of the theatre. The attitudes of the characters within the forest contrasted those outside. Duke Frederick and Oliver are quite uptight, constantly worrying, plotting, envious. And Orlando, Rosalind, and Celia are caught up in this as well- they fight and worry. In the forest, though, things change. There are more times to laugh, and Rosalind absolutely loves it. Jaques is free to roam and say what he wants, acting slightly drunk and sarcastic. I liked the play. If I had watched it first, I might not have understood the subtleties, but watching it after reading and understanding the words, it is quite good. I like it.
I guess the only thing I don't really understand is the point of the intro of the play- where Duke Frederick is being crowned. I guess it serves as an introduction to what's happening, but I thought that was what the dialogue was for.
As a further note, I was looking on youtube for plays on As You Like It, and I came upon something produced with the setting in Japan. The story is (approximately) the same, but with interesting interpretation and twists (such as sumo-wrestling and kung-fu fighting between the brothers). Here is the video- it's a bit slow to begin (interestingly enough, it begins with Duke Frederick taking over and being crowned as well- albeit a bit more viciously), but once the dialogue starts it becomes familiar. Posted by Amebugi.
The way the play was presented was nicely done. There was the contrast of the court and the Forest of Arden- in the court there were drums, to create apprehension, and there was constant fighting. In the forest, there was always happy music, singing from Amiens, and bird tweeting in the background. I could just feel the change. The actual background scenery wasn't that impressive (the mere change of black poles to wooden), but understandable. They change the scenes so fast that the characters barely have time to run off before more come on. I also noticed that the clothes helped contrast the court and the forest. In the court, things were worn properly, with collars, buttoned jackets, and fancy dresses with lots of lace. In the forest however, Duke Senior, Jaques, and all the other lords were ruffled and dirty. They sat around campfires and on the ground. They were also more free. Not in the physical sense- in both settings the characters moved around a lot fully utilizing the broad space of the theatre. The attitudes of the characters within the forest contrasted those outside. Duke Frederick and Oliver are quite uptight, constantly worrying, plotting, envious. And Orlando, Rosalind, and Celia are caught up in this as well- they fight and worry. In the forest, though, things change. There are more times to laugh, and Rosalind absolutely loves it. Jaques is free to roam and say what he wants, acting slightly drunk and sarcastic. I liked the play. If I had watched it first, I might not have understood the subtleties, but watching it after reading and understanding the words, it is quite good. I like it.
I guess the only thing I don't really understand is the point of the intro of the play- where Duke Frederick is being crowned. I guess it serves as an introduction to what's happening, but I thought that was what the dialogue was for.
As a further note, I was looking on youtube for plays on As You Like It, and I came upon something produced with the setting in Japan. The story is (approximately) the same, but with interesting interpretation and twists (such as sumo-wrestling and kung-fu fighting between the brothers). Here is the video- it's a bit slow to begin (interestingly enough, it begins with Duke Frederick taking over and being crowned as well- albeit a bit more viciously), but once the dialogue starts it becomes familiar. Posted by Amebugi.
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