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
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
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
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.