Marty Flores

2/12/05

ENGL 339

As You Like It

The PCPA production of “As You Like It” definitely added to the experience of the play. On a simple level, seeing the mechanics of the play added by facilitating my understanding of how the play is supposed to flow. On another level, seeing different interpretations of the characters made the play much more enjoyable than what I had imagined as I read it.

Many of the lines in “As You Like It” are easy to read too quickly to really feel what the characters are saying. As the actors took pauses, some to reflect and some to perform an action, the lines seemed to fit into context better. This was especially important in scenes where a character would carry conversation with more than one other character. These lines seemed to link together seamlessly until I saw the actors pausing at certain lines to begin addressing another actor. I also had much trouble visualizing how some of the scenes worked with so many actors on stage having so many different conversations. It was also difficult to know who was addressing who at times. Being able to see where the characters came on to stage, where they were on stage, and how they interacted while on stage made some of the scenes[SM1]

One character that was definitely improved in my mind by seeing the production was Touchstone. Reading his lines, it seems like he just interrupts the flow of the play with his sarcastic remarks. However, seeing an actor play it out, with dynamic actions and a smile on his face, Touchstone’s character seemed more like the pleasant joker that he was intended to be. This was especially true in Act V, scene iv, where Touchstone describes the different types of lies. His wild animation made it seem like he was trying to entertain rather than just sound like he’s a know-it-all[SM2] .

Several actors, through subtle actions, were able to bring a very different interpretation of some scenes than what I had visualized. For example, in Act II, scene vii, Orlando interrupts the Duke and his followers to attempt a robbery. I had thought of this as Orlando authoritatively taking control of the situation while the others trembled in fear. Quite the opposite, PCPA had Orlando shaking with fear and the Duke’s company was fairly relaxed. This gave me an impression that fit the characters much better. Orlando would have been nervous and frightened because he had never done something like that. He was only doing it to save a friend’s life. The Duke and Jaques, being so wise and educated, were able to see Orlando’s fear and knew that they would be able to calm him down with their kindness and generosity[SM3] .

Although there were some scenes where I think lines were skipped over too quickly or not given the attention they deserve, overall, seeing the play performed live added a great deal to my experience of “As You Like It[SM4] .”