11 January 2000

SummerTimes Summer Theatre Season, from Friday 14 January 2000

One of Shakespeare’s best-known comedies will delight audiences at the SummerTimes festival’s Summer Theatre Season this summer.

From this Friday, As You Like It will be performed in the open air of the Arts Centre’s South Quadrangle. One of Shakespeare’s finest romantic comedies, As You Like It is expected to draw crowds of up to 800 people to each performance. Full of poetry, song, comic invention and satire, the plot is strengthened by the joyous confusion of lovelorn swains, a strong-minded heroine in disguise, a melancholy philosopher and the triumph of justice.

This colourful, authentic production of As You Like It borrows from Jacobean and Elizabethan traditions to present a carnival atmosphere complete with a procession of characters and live wrestling!

Actors include Olly Ohlson and John Davey (aka Mr Moon), in his first foray into ‘serious’ acting. Davey will take on the role of Touchstone the Fool. Perhaps best known around town as a highly skilled and colourful entertainer and juggler, Davey is relishing the challenge of his new role.

"It’s an awesome opportunity," says Davey. "The part of Touchstone gives me the chance to play one of the most high spirited rogues I’ve ever been!"

The free-to-attend event, directed by Jenny Alexander and featuring production design by Julian Southgate, will run for a two-week season starting this Friday, 14 January. As You Like It will be produced by Events Management Group for the Christchurch City Council-organised festival.