THERE IS clearly something about the Forest of Arden that encourages people to fall in love, and in Company of Fools’ high-speed romp almost everyone finally got the partner they wanted in this sensibly edited and good-looking production from codirectors Rosie Peters and Mo Ferry- Swainson.
As Orlando, the rangy Reuben Marshall exuded youthful passion while falling for Charlie Walker’s rather overdramatic Rosalind, whose best friend Celia (wonderfully funny Emily Hindle) ended up in the arms of erstwhile badboy Oliver (Chance Perdomo).
On an attractive autumnal set, (though with rather inconsistent lighting), Lawrence Haynes’ acerbic, mocking Touchstone had some nicely-worked comic business and Harry Andrews’ Jaques was the epitome of melancholia, though his ‘Seven Ages of Man’ speech was somewhat long drawn out.
Some well-sung, self-penned music added to the evening’s enjoyment, and the audience cheered as shepherdess Audrey (a blissfully coarse comic performance from Lizzie Rowland) finally got her man.
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