As You Like It

As a belated Xmas gift from Mrs Terry, we attended "As You Like It" at The Globe Theatre on Saturday evening. The good lady Wife has been there before with her girlfriends, but, I was a Globe Virgin, so to speak. Now, having listened to various opinions of the re-creation of Will's Crib, I was a little wary of a "Disney does Shakespeare" environment. Fear not, my friends, for I shall report nothing, but, good news. The place is beautifully situated on the banks of the Thames (even though it is on the South side, we can forgive them that one indiscretion), with a wonderful view of St. Pauls on the opposite bank. Fast Forward to the play itself and the theatre manages to make you feel that you are part of the performance, even more so when the actors are to be found walking through the audience or perched upon a ledge in the stalls. Thea Sharrock's adaptation is perfectly paced and never has you looking away from the stage for a second. Obviously, having the Bard as the source material gets you off to a flyer, but, all the same the play is handled with great warmth and affection. Even if you are not a fan of Will's works, you will be drawn in by the actors and how they manage to flood the stage with both humour and sheer joy.

So, do yourself a favour and treat your loved one(s) to a Ticket. You will be in the good books for some time to come, I promise thee.

On Quoting Shakespeare by Bernard Levin

If you cannot understand my argument, and declare ``It's Greek to me'', you are quoting Shakespeare; if you claim to be more sinned against than sinning, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you recall your salad days, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you act more in sorrow than in anger; if your wish is farther to the thought; if your lost property has vanished into thin air, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you have ever refused to budge an inch or suffered from green-eyed jealousy, if you have played fast and loose, if you have been tongue-tied, a tower of strength, hoodwinked or in a pickle, if you have knitted your brows, made a virtue of necessity, insisted on fair play, slept not one wink, stood on ceremony, danced attendance (on your lord and master), laughed yourself into stitches, had short shrift, cold comfort or too much of a good thing, if you have seen better days or lived in a fool's paradise -why, be that as it may, the more fool you , for it is a foregone conclusion that you are (as good luck would have it) quoting Shakespeare; if you think it is early days and clear out bag and baggage, if you think it is high time and that that is the long and short of it, if you believe that the game is up and that truth will out even if it involves your own flesh and blood, if you lie low till the crack of doom because you suspect foul play, if you have your teeth set on edge (at one fell swoop) without rhyme or reason, then - to give the devil his due - if the truth were known (for surely you have a tongue in your head) you are quoting Shakespeare; even if you bid me good riddance and send me packing, if you wish I was dead as a door-nail, if you think I am an eyesore, a laughing stock, the devil incarnate, a stony-hearted villain, bloody-minded or a blinking idiot, then - by Jove! O Lord! Tut tut! For goodness' sake! What the dickens! But me no buts! - it is all one to me, for you are quoting Shakespeare.

Bernard Levin