As You Like It

Disguises, word play, and mistaken identity abound in this sophisticated tale of love and loyalty. Rosalind, exiled by her wicked uncle, meets Orlando in the Forest of Arden. They fall in love, but confusion ensues because of her male disguise. By the time the curtain falls, reconciliation and forgiveness blossom, and all is well. Another play in the fine Arkangel Complete Shakespeare series is performed by accomplished British players. Stephen Mangan and Niamh Cusack are especially strong as the lead characters. The original music and singing give the production a true theatrical feel. Liner notes include a good act-by-act summary of the play. P.B.J. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine


Chancing upon love and mischief in the fabled Forest of Arden, Lynn Collins and James Waterston--as the irresistible Rosalind and Orlando--romp along with the rest of the LATW ensemble in this spirited version of one of Shakespeare's most popular comedies. Stage and film veteran Stacy Keach takes a nice turn as the gruff and perceptive philosopher Jaques, who performs some of the most famous lines in theater history--"All the world's a stage . . ." But the scene-stealer in this show may be singer-songwriter Summer Spiro, who contributed and performs a few original tunes for this live production. With its wordplay and classic rhythms, Shakespeare's work is always a perfect fit for audio drama. B.P. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine