AS YOU LIKE IT Years 7-9
Shakespeare’s work is performed in different languages and countries every day. Tuesday 28th April was the day a talented group of Year 7 – 9 students performed their version of “As You Like It”. The story itself is complicated. Rosalind is banished from court by her uncle, Duke Frederick who has usurped the throne from his bother Duke Senior. To escape she runs into the forest to find her father with her cousin Celia. For safety reasons they enter the wood in disguise; Rosalind dresses as a boy “Ganymede” and Celia becomes “Aliena”. Meanwhile there are two feuding bothers, Oliver and Orlando. Orlando runs into the wood and Oliver is close behind. Orlando meets Rosalind who tries to cure him of love sickness and teaches him how to be a good lover (ultimately for herself!). The play ends happily: Orlando and Rosalind marry; Oliver and Celia marry and Duke Frederick gives Duke Senior back his throne.
Despite the complications, the cast managed to superbly present the comical aspects of the play. One of the highlights was when four of the boys danced to “Walk Like A Man” by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The energy and spirit was high from the whole cast as they sang “There was a lover and a lass” and presented the famous speech “All the world’s a stage” chorally.
The whole cast worked extremely hard to attack Shakespeare’s lines and the lead roles were performed with eloquence and ease. It was a delight to see the production come together from its fragmented state at the beginning of the Spring term to the polished humorous production it became. As it was performed near Shakespeare’s birth and death date - 23rd April, it was a fitting tribute to one of his texts. Vilte Civilyte, Year 8
It was the last Friday before the big performance on Tuesday and we were only just setting up the stage! 3 days left until the show, 3 days to learn our exits and our entrances, ourcues and our costume changes. But we all pulled together as a cast to produce our adaptation of Shakespeare’s original rom-com.
We knew we had to tackle the infamous ‘All the World’s a Stage’ speech. We poured so many hours into perfecting this scene. The ensemble re-enacted the 7 stages of life as melancholy Jacques delivered the speech. The choral work paid off as viewers were in awe throughout the soliloquy.
We thoroughly enjoyed creating this performance from the beginning to the end and would love to be part of the Junior production next year. For those of you who were maybe unsure of what it would be like to be part of a Shakespeare production, we say come along and do it! It was an amazing experience we will never forget.
Jessica Sully, Year 8
Shakespeare’s work is performed in different languages and countries every day. Tuesday 28th April was the day a talented group of Year 7 – 9 students performed their version of “As You Like It”. The story itself is complicated. Rosalind is banished from court by her uncle, Duke Frederick who has usurped the throne from his bother Duke Senior. To escape she runs into the forest to find her father with her cousin Celia. For safety reasons they enter the wood in disguise; Rosalind dresses as a boy “Ganymede” and Celia becomes “Aliena”. Meanwhile there are two feuding bothers, Oliver and Orlando. Orlando runs into the wood and Oliver is close behind. Orlando meets Rosalind who tries to cure him of love sickness and teaches him how to be a good lover (ultimately for herself!). The play ends happily: Orlando and Rosalind marry; Oliver and Celia marry and Duke Frederick gives Duke Senior back his throne.
Despite the complications, the cast managed to superbly present the comical aspects of the play. One of the highlights was when four of the boys danced to “Walk Like A Man” by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The energy and spirit was high from the whole cast as they sang “There was a lover and a lass” and presented the famous speech “All the world’s a stage” chorally.
The whole cast worked extremely hard to attack Shakespeare’s lines and the lead roles were performed with eloquence and ease. It was a delight to see the production come together from its fragmented state at the beginning of the Spring term to the polished humorous production it became. As it was performed near Shakespeare’s birth and death date - 23rd April, it was a fitting tribute to one of his texts. Vilte Civilyte, Year 8
It was the last Friday before the big performance on Tuesday and we were only just setting up the stage! 3 days left until the show, 3 days to learn our exits and our entrances, ourcues and our costume changes. But we all pulled together as a cast to produce our adaptation of Shakespeare’s original rom-com.
We knew we had to tackle the infamous ‘All the World’s a Stage’ speech. We poured so many hours into perfecting this scene. The ensemble re-enacted the 7 stages of life as melancholy Jacques delivered the speech. The choral work paid off as viewers were in awe throughout the soliloquy.
We thoroughly enjoyed creating this performance from the beginning to the end and would love to be part of the Junior production next year. For those of you who were maybe unsure of what it would be like to be part of a Shakespeare production, we say come along and do it! It was an amazing experience we will never forget.
Jessica Sully, Year 8
| As you Like It Script |
