As You Like It Castle Yard, Kilkenny Arts Festival

The Globe Theatre’s first visit to Ireland was a coup for Kilkenny Arts Festival.

Globe performed William Shakespeare’s As You Like It outdoors, in the cobbled Castle Yard at Kilkenny Design. The set was minimal, allowing the troupe of eight great freedom to perform their myriad roles. As all the performers sang and played instruments, it seemed like As You Like It: The Musical, but no-one minded.

As You Like It is one of the more playful of Shakespeare’s dramas, and the actors enjoyed themselves thoroughly. The wrestling match between the hero, Orlando, and Charles was particularly spirited, and the company took the liberty of introducing a camera — an old-fashioned model, but still an anachronism — to the proceedings.