Director takes colourful approach to “As You Like It” - Feb. 19, 2015
By Devin Pacholik, Regina Leader-Post
“All the world's a stage and all the men and women are merely players,” Jacques de Boys says in Shakespeare’s As You Like it.
The speech discusses the stages of life as compared to a theatrical performance. Like most Shakespearean witticisms, the meaning is multi-faceted and enlightening - although a modern version might include a line about distracting cellular devices.
Do It With Class Young People’s Theatre presents As You Like It at the Conexus Arts Centre's Jacqui Shumiatcher Room Feb. 25 to 27.
Artistic director Rob Ursan has been producing Shakespeare for about seven years with the senior company, which this year includes 21 performers ages 13 to 18. He said The Bard’s work is demanding for actors and audiences. “Shakespearean language is always challenging.… It forces people into places they are not familiar with,” said Ursan.
As You Like It is a pastoral romance set in a French duchy and the Forest of Arden. The story opens with Frederick exiling his older brother, Duke Senior, from the duchy. Frederick’s daughter, Celia, is friends with the old duke’s daughter, Rosalind. Frederick eventually banishes Rosalind just after she falls in love with a young lord, Orlando.Celia and the court fool, Touchstone, follow Rosalind into the forest, kicking off a comedy of errors, cross dressing and trickery in the pursuit of true love.
Ursan said the company chose a colourful staging for the comedy.
He taught the actors about the Aristotelian concept of the four humours, a categorizing of emotions related to properties of the body. Ursan also taught them about the 18th century philosophy of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who applied personality types to the colour spectrum and certain elements.
Ursan depicted these modes of thinking on stage through a colourful mandala painted by designer Julio Salazar. Each colour in the wheel represents an emotion, and Ursan said the actors stand in those colours to heighten their performances.
“The kids know which colour to enter from based on how they are feeling. They might enter from fire because they are angry, earth because they are sad, water because they are having a philosophical conversation, or air - the element of lovers.”
The cast features Griffin Hewitt (Orlando), Haley Tonita (Rosalind), Jordyn Bosley (Celia), Logan Weir (Touchstone) and Kieran Kennedy (Jaques).
“They have turned this show into something that feels personal,” said the director.
The costumes by Brenda Shenher are another unique feature. Ursan explained the costumes shift colours throughout the play and are “gender neutral,” since gender confusion is a major theme.
“All of the costuming is indicative of (the characters’ journeys).”
Ursan hoped the show would be accessible, given the visual cues and actors' talents.
“It's a funny story with characters who are doing things ever so slightly unbelievable, which is when Shakespeare is at his best.”
Tickets for As You Like It can be purchased at conexus.com or the Conexus Arts Centre box office by calling 306-525-9999.