As You Like It Review: the bard, the boys and the beautiful Welsh countryside
15 October 2026 | 19:30 | Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
⭐⭐⭐⭐ | PR - Invite
The Royal Shakespeare Company's highly anticipated 2026 production of As You Like It has been the talk of theatre fans globally. With an all-male cast led by acclaimed Broadway star Jonathan Groff, Heartstopper's Fisayo Akinade and Elliot Barnes-Worrell, this is one of the most charming events I have witnessed under the Royal Shakespeare Theatre's roof.
Written c.1599, audiences follow the journey of cousins Rosalind (Groff) and Celia (Akinade), as they flee from the colourless tyranny of Celia's father in the search of freedom and liberty in the Forest of Arden.
Daniel Evans' concise and brilliantly inventive direction for this play gives us clear lines of contrast between Duke Frederick's heavy and oppressive court, where all bow to a dictator's whim, to the Forest of Arden's picture of idyllic ruralness. This juxtaposition is enhanced by Anisha Fields' set design and Colin Richmond's costuming, belonging to two visually distinct worlds.
For this adaptation, the artistic choice is to adapt Arden in the picturesque landscape of Wales, providing space for a comic shepherd and shepherdess, as well as a Welsh voice choir who fill the auditorium with divine vocals, gifting Shakespeare's pastoral world a fresh life. Theo Jamieson's compositions are not to be missed, and we can only hope for a proshot/cast recording to relive this musicality once more.
When we arrive in Fields' design of Arden, its rolling slopes offer a more open wilderness in comparison to the traditional woodland setting. Besides the layers of long grass that climb upstage, the space does call for the presence of a solitary tree, a kind of visual anchor that echoes the original forest setting, and prevents too much of the same in its landscape.
Jonathan Groff as our leading man (or woman - in this case!) is captivating, with endearing joy. Organic comedic timing and infectious energy allow his Rosalind to connect with audiences, as Groff navigates the full spectrum of human emotion with ease. Elliot Barnes-Worrell's Orlando proves a wonderful match to Rosalind, complete with undeniable onstage chemistry. Their interactions sparkle with genuine tenderness where, combined with Fisayo Akinade's charismatic Celia, we have a stellar trio to lead this production.
All of tonight's actors handle the play beautifully. Kev McCurdy's fight direction provides a dynamic addition to the action, though it can sometimes feel less natural than the otherwise seamless performances around it. Praise must be awarded to Gareth Snook and Tim Preston whose 'tarty' Audrey and 'lusty' Phoebe respectively steal every one of their scenes. And Snook's sudden burst into RAYE's Where Is My Husband! deserves every bit of eruptive laughter and applause it receives!
We see many revivals of As You Like It, but Evans' adaptation reminds us exactly why Shakespeare continues to capture the imagination of audiences centuries later. I shared this experience with a friend who, beyond her high school studies, has little experience with Shakespeare. Although the 16th-century text occasionally escaped her, she found herself immersed in the world emerging before her. This is what speaks volumes about the success of Evans' direction and the clarity of performance, welcoming newcomers as it does seasoned Shakespeare enthusiasts.
As You Like It runs at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon until 7th November: https://www.rsc.org.uk/as-you-like-it/
