At one point Celia utters the captivating statement, “I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it”, and this feels like the perfect way to sum up Folksy Theatre, whose approachable and charming productions wash over audiences with a scrappy quality and an infectious vibe. This is the best way to say that this reviewer appreciated his time in the Forest of Arden and heartily recommends a few hours this summer with this production.

As You Like It follows two groups into the Forest of Arden – Rosalind, her cousin Celia and the court jester, Touchstone; and a second part led by Orlando. Orlando and Rosalind are set to fall in love, but before that time we get schemes, including Rosalind posing as a boy. As a text, As You Like It feels less driven by incidents and instead taking in the vibes of a forest live, with even the antics feeling smaller then other Shakespeares. But the writing is beautiful, often poignant and with some of the finest speeches in the Bard’s canon.

Our quintet propel forward with oodles of chemistry between them. Their arrival at Millet’s Farm is slap-bang in the middle of their summer tour and this has bled into their interplay between each other and the cast’s confidence in their improvisation and audience interactions. It adds an element to the show that harks back to its genesis playing to the Globe's groundlings. This production gives its ensemble wonderful moments to shine, with them each taking on multiple parts. Flossie Ure’s Rosalind is a warm, likeable, faintly ridiculous presence. Seonaid Stevenson is a bundle of joy as Celia and an enjoyable dislikeable Phebe. Ronan O’Hara’s Orlando is at his best at his sweetest, a position he thankfully inhabits for much of the stage time. Holly Durkin morphs through several of the authoritative male figures of the play with skill and aplomb (and it is to be commended that this is Holly’s sixth open air tour with Folksy). And Stuart Scott takes on many a fool role, stealing countless scenes but also supporting the rest of the cast to bring out their own comedic moments.

This production keeps the set, costumes and props simple. The cast envelop the audience, moving round us. Director Lee Hardwicke has confidence in their ensemble and it plays dividends. By the play’s rousing and romantic finale, we all had beaming smiles and left with our hearts lifted. Your summer will be lifted too by an evening with Folksy Theatre and I will certainly be back next year for another slice of the Bard.