UIS’ ‘As You Like It’ only partly likable

Some cast members shine in, but cannot save, the production

April 22, 2009
By Armando Vega
Staff Writer

Last weekend, the curtains went up for UIS Theatre Program’s Studio Theatre foray into William Shakespeare’s most widely produced comedy, As You Like It.  Studio Theatre will put on another round of productions this coming weekend as well.

Before reviewing the play, a summation of the plot is in order.  The conniving Duke Frederick ousts the rule of his brother Duke Senior, effectively banishing him and his loyal men to the Forest of Arden.  A slew of such exiles follow, as the romantic male lead Orlando (played by Dwight Langford) bests the court wrestler in a bout, incurring the wrath of the court in doing so, yet not before winning the eye of Rosalind, the exiled Duke’s daughter, for his conquest.  She too, despite her inseparable friendship with Frederick’s daughter Celia, is soon banished on a whim, forced to take on the guise of a man for protection.  The comedy ensues as half the characters in the play begin to fall in love with one another, and, in typical Shakespearean fashion, are forced to contend that love with the messy realities of life and their stations.

The most noticeable aspect of this production, directed by Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson, is the striking variation in acting chops.  Some of the actors were really quite good, but others had a tendency to bring the viewer hovering back to reality, so lacking in charm were they in their portrayals.  Even antagonists on some level should appeal and draw in theatre-goers, and a good Shakespeare production should be more effusive with refined passion.  This was too often lacking in the production.

What next stands out is that this was a play in which the supporting characters took the show.  While the characters of Orlando and Rosalind performed ably, it was the likes of Touchstone the Fool (played by Joey Cruse), and Senior’s accompanying lords Jaques (Ted Keylon) and the bard Amiens (Nick Teeter) who most shined.  In his white facepaint splotched with red, and unkempt shaggy hair, the cynical Touchstone portrayal seemed reminiscent of Heath Ledger’s Joker (albeit sans the depraved sadism)—definitely a plus.

Ted Keylon’s delivery of the flagship verse beginning “All the world’s a stage,” set the audience to a contemplative silence as he expounded on the ages of man.  The final point of man’s feeble nature at life’s end was brought forcibly home by the character of Adam (played by Patrick O’Brien), servant-companion of Orlando who must be tended and cared for by his very master.  Comedic as Adam’s collapse and buffoonery may have earlier seemed, we are reminded that a deteriorating man’s constitution can render him a sad and pathetic sight to see, and it is left to the yet young and vigorous Orlando to secure proper food and lodging for the duo.
Not all the best characters were of the supporting class.  Duke Frederick (Kevin Purcell) came across as callously charming as the part required, and the costume-crew managed to produce a very convincing Ganymede in appearance (Rosalind-as-male), in record time at that.

This reviewer has attended Shakespeare plays put on by the Illinois Shakespeare Festival and Illinois Wesleyan University in the past.  For reference, UIS’ As You Like It can in no way be said to rival those productions, but for an ensemble cast drawn largely from a small university, UIS’ show was better than expected.  I can’t promise you’ll get your money’s worth, and if you’re not a Shakespeare fan already this won’t be the production to turn you on—but all-in-all I give this play 7 out of 10 stars.  Encore presentations will be given the 23rd through the 25th.