Duke Senior, banished by his usurping brother, praises the sweetness of life in the Forest of Arden contrasted with the “painted pomp” of the court: “this our life exempt from public haunt/ Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks”. Jamie Satterthwaite, speaking these lines from the stage, turns his head slightly, listening; inviting us to hear, as does he, the babbling of a brook just yards from where we sit. The Watermill theatre’s garden auditorium is itself a mini Arden, a glorious setting for Shakespeare’s romantic comedy.
“Never has the importance of appreciating the world in which we live been more prevalent. As You Like It’s contrast of the court and forest highlights this need to work with and care for our environment.” To convey the message set out in the programme, dramaturg/adapter Yolanda Mercy, director Paul Hart and designer Katie Lias purposelessly reshuffle scenes, intersperse them with contemporary-ish folk/pop songs, replace characters with puppets, and position much of the action on an ugly set made mostly of old oil drums (initially, these indicate the “toxic court”; then, “repurposed” with greenery, the forest).
The youthful, 10-strong cast may too obviously lack experience, but have plenty of charm, commitment and musical talent. As Rosalind and Orlando, Katherine Jack and Ned Rudkins-Stow are pleasingly lively, although as lovers they strike no sparks; Emma Manton’s hip flask-toting Jaques commands attention but comes across as more maudlin than melancholy.
Overall, this “new adaptation”, neither straight nor radical, feels half-hearted – until the ending. Here, we get a sense of what might have been. A rewritten epilogue rousingly focuses on today’s climate concerns. Jack/Rosalind delivers it with gusto. The cast brandish placards: “Human change, climate change”; “War on plastic”. All belt out Set My Soul on Fire, a blues/soul/gospel-inflected number by the American duo the War and Treaty. Worthy? Yes, and passionate and engaging – at last.The Watermill’s garden turns out to be the most magical aspect of a well-intentioned but flawed production – and earns it a third star.
As You Like It is at the Watermill theatre, Newbury, until 24 July
