Magic and vitality: Third Wall’s “As You Like It”
-Theatre review by Lesley Buxton
I love Shakespeare. I’m an addict. All throughout high school, I proudly wore a button featuring the famous bard’s face that proclaimed “Will power” pinned to my black leather jacket. This is why I decided my twelve-year-old daughter would accompany me to Third Wall’s production of “As You Like It.” It was not a mistake. She loved it. The most remarkable thing about Charles McFarland’s production is the energy of the actors and their commitment to their roles. From the moment the first actor walks onto to the stage the air crackles with possibility and, we the viewers sense we are in for an intriguing ride.
McFarland faces the violence of the first scenes head on. The lighting is gritty and the feeling is reminiscent of an episode of The Sopranos. I congratulate him on casting Glenn Kulka as Charles, the Wrestler. Though Kulka was obviously nervous—this is his theatrical début—his physical confidence gave the fight scenes a dimension and realism seldom realized in most theatrical productions. The fight match alone is worth the price of admission. Last night the audience including my daughter got so involved they were clapping and hissing at the actors. Tania Levy and Mishka Lavigne were fabulous in this scene as Kulka’s supporters. Though they didn’t say a word their body language was wonderful.
Naturally, no Shakespearean comedy would be complete without a case of thwarted love and a beautiful heroine masquerading as a youth. In this case, it’s Rosalind, (Kristina Watt,) who disguises herself as Ganymede, and escapes to the idyllic Arden, accompanied by the court fool, Touchstone (Michael Mancini ) and her cousin, Celia (Kat Smiley) who disguises herself as a shepherdess called Aliena. Once settled in her new surroundings Rosalind now Ganymede, proceeds to give love tutorials to her darling Orlando (Jordan Hancey).
In the early scenes, Watt and Smiley make a wonderful double act. I believed in their friendship and loved the way they related to each other. Unfortunately once Rosalind is transformed, Watt occasionally reminded me of the principal boy in an English Christmas pantomime. I found this disappointing as I felt it was well within her capabilities to create a more sensual character. In my opinion the atmosphere should be thick with desire whenever she meets Orlando. Among the supporting cast, Mancini’s Touchstone stood out. Though, I didn’t always agree with some of his choices I applaud his boldness. I also enjoyed David Da Costas musical arrangements and singing. This is once of the first times I truly enjoyed the singing in a Shakespeare production and believed in it. However, I could have done without the snippets of pop songs which were jarring and unnecessary.
Though the directing and acting in this play are occasionally flawed, this production captures the essence of this lovely story as well as all its magic. I loved its brash wit and vitality.
Third Wall’s “As You Like It” plays the studio of the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre through February 14
