This fantastic rendition of "As You Like It" shames many others in the series with it's lovely costuming, strong direction and location work.
The brave Orlando (Brian Stirner) pursues the lovely Rosalind into the forest of Arden, after she is banished from the royal court by the Duke Frederic (Richard Easton), and along with her servant Celia (Angharad Rees) disguises herself as a boy to survive. Tagging along is Touchstone (James Bolam), the court fool. They find refuge with the former Duke of Arden (Tony Church), and cross-dressing romantic shenanigans quickly ensure as Rosalind attempts to ensure the honesty of her lover...
Although more could have been done with the location (near Glamis Castle, Scotland), it's quality shames the studio work done elsewhere in this series. Many other plays would have been significantly improved if they had been taken out of the studio but sadly this was not the case.
It helps that the play has been directed with flair and restraint - there is no dodgy lion sequence and the wrestling scene with Darth Vader actor David Prowse is brilliant.
Helen Mirren is compelling and well-costumed Rosalind, and Richard Pasco gives a wonderfully maddened turn as the moody Jacques. James Bolam makes a good fist of Touchstone.
A good effort, and no doubt one of the better ones of the BBC series.
The brave Orlando (Brian Stirner) pursues the lovely Rosalind into the forest of Arden, after she is banished from the royal court by the Duke Frederic (Richard Easton), and along with her servant Celia (Angharad Rees) disguises herself as a boy to survive. Tagging along is Touchstone (James Bolam), the court fool. They find refuge with the former Duke of Arden (Tony Church), and cross-dressing romantic shenanigans quickly ensure as Rosalind attempts to ensure the honesty of her lover...
Although more could have been done with the location (near Glamis Castle, Scotland), it's quality shames the studio work done elsewhere in this series. Many other plays would have been significantly improved if they had been taken out of the studio but sadly this was not the case.
It helps that the play has been directed with flair and restraint - there is no dodgy lion sequence and the wrestling scene with Darth Vader actor David Prowse is brilliant.
Helen Mirren is compelling and well-costumed Rosalind, and Richard Pasco gives a wonderfully maddened turn as the moody Jacques. James Bolam makes a good fist of Touchstone.
A good effort, and no doubt one of the better ones of the BBC series.