As You Like It (Shakespeare in Production) - Production History

In this review of As You Like It (Shakespeare in Production) the reviewer finds a focused, scholarly volume best suited to theater practitioners, students, and serious readers of dramatic history. The book's single biggest strength is its detailed, source-driven account of how staging choices, costuming, and gender interpretation-especially the portrayal of Rosalind-have shifted over time; readers seeking practical insight into performance history will appreciate the close attention to primary sources and production practice.

Key Features

• Production history: Provides a detailed chronology of stage and screen productions so readers can trace evolving approaches to the play over time.
• Gender and performance: Shows how changing conceptions of gender roles have affected portrayals of Rosalind, offering a lens for actors and directors.
• Comparative traditions: Contrasts the British tradition with freer international treatments, helping readers understand differing cultural approaches to staging.
• Practical detail: Draws on primary sources to illuminate costuming, stage business, and design choices that affect performance decisions.
• Contextual commentary: Printed alongside the New Cambridge edition of the text, the commentary situates production choices within the play's textual and historical context.

Who It's For

This volume is aimed at theater students, directors, designers, and scholars who need a rigorous account of how As You Like It has been realized on stage and screen. Practitioners preparing a production will find valuable, concrete examples about costuming and stage business to inform casting and visual choices.

Readers seeking a general-audience introduction to Shakespeare or a lightweight companion for casual reading should look elsewhere; the book assumes interest in production history and close attention to primary sources rather than offering a breezy overview.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Thorough examination of historical productions provides practical insights for directors and designers.
• Clear discussion of how portrayals of Rosalind reflect changing gender ideas, useful for actors exploring the role.
• Comparative analysis of British and international traditions clarifies different staging philosophies.

Cons

• The focus on production history and primary sources makes it more academic than casual, which may not suit all readers.

Specifications

Our Verdict

As You Like It (Shakespeare in Production) is a valuable, well-researched resource for theater professionals and scholars who need informed, source-based analysis of staging choices and gender interpretation. It offers strong practical value for anyone mounting the play, though its academic focus means casual readers may prefer a lighter introduction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book include production examples?
Yes, the volume draws on primary sources to document specific production practices, including costuming and stage business.

Is this a performance edition of the play?
No, it is a commentary and production history printed alongside the New Cambridge edition rather than a stand-alone performance text.

Who benefits most from the book?
Directors, designers, actors, and scholars interested in how staging and gender interpretation shape As You Like It will benefit most.