As You Like It

Attic Theatre Company
St George's College, Crawley
dir. Stephen Lee

Firstly, I will confess that some will think me biased as I have worked with the director several times before and, in fact, appeared in Attic Theatre's last production of The Christmas Carol. However, I believe that such good work as this deserves bigger audiences than it is getting and that I would like to encourage others to go along.

The venue is truly beautiful - something that I couldn't really appreciate as a performer, but as an audience member it was the best setting for Shakespeare that I have ever seen in Perth! Wonderful atmosphere!
Unlike some other outdoor venues, I was able to see and hear everything perfectly clearly (particularily useful when following Shakespeare!).

Stephen Lee uses the venue to its best advantage with actors entering from every direction, appearing out of turret windows, up trees and even jumping off high walls (hope they have insurance!)

The costumes, props and lighting were all perfect (except Celia's Little Bo Beep number which seemed out of period with the rest of the play).
Maybe its relevance escaped me?

The play is set in "an imaginary Australia" in modern times and works well.

Special mention must be given to the band of singers (Nicholas Cornish, Rebecca Mansfield, Danielle O'Malley and Ama Joan Quin) who entertained us before and throughout the show - its been a long time since I have heard such fabulous voices and harmonies in a theatrical performance! Listening to them alone is worth the ticket price.

The acting is generally of a high standard, but there were some knock-out performances for me. Firstly, Renato Fabretti as Orlando was outstanding. The minute he walks onstage one is struck with his presence, charisma and talent (it also helps that he is so bloody good looking!). I predict this young man has a very bright acting career ahead of him!
Fern Vallesi as Phebe and Scott Sheridan as Silvius were hilarious and slightly bizarre - I really enjoyed their performances and comic timing!
I think Scott is another young talent to watch out for and Fern is definitely an actress whose talent should be recognized far more than it is.
I also enjoyed Liam Ryan as Touchstone who is obviously a young man gifted with natural comic ability! (although I think he could afford to watch his diction at times.)
Shirley Van Sanden was wonderful both as the Joan Crawford like bitch, Duchess Frederick and as the gormless Audrey.
Graham Mitchell was charming as the evil brother Oliver who "comes good in the end".
The stand out scene for me was Jaques' (played by Dan Luxton) famous "seven ages of man" speech - the combination of Dan's wonderful rendition, Tom Rees' portrayal of the frail old faithful servant, Adam, at the point of starvation, the music and the ensemble acting brought me to tears (something I was not expecting in a comedy). I found it very moving and poignant - but this may only be appreciated by those of us going through "mid-life crisis"!
Overall, it was a very enjoyable evening and I feel as this play "tightens up" and the actors relax into their parts it will develop into one of the best Shakespearian productions this town has seen.
Congratulations to everyone involved.

Angelique Malcolm