Shakespeare's Globe's production of As You Like It, co-directed by Sean Holmes and Charlie Josephine, has opened to a four-star review from Time Out, praised as a "burst of late summer sun" that turns the Bard's pastoral comedy into a boisterous, character-driven romp. The production runs from 23 August to 25 October 2026 at the South Bank venue, with tickets priced between £5 and £85 and a running time of 2 hours 45 minutes.
A Vivid Take on Shakespeare's Forest Comedy
According to Time Out's theatre editor Andrzej Lukowski, As You Like It is "mostly a play about a large assortment of oddballs living in a forest for some reason," with a plot that can be hard to follow if not carefully guided. Holmes and Josephine, however, are "excellent guides through the trees," ensuring that every character is as vivid as possible, both visually and personality-wise, so audiences never find themselves lost among the teeming cast.
The production opens with an "eye-poppingly absurd" 17th-century court scene—complete with big wigs, insanely silhouetted dresses, and vaguely kinky Marie Antoinette-on-acid vibes—before shifting to the longer, more rustic Forest of Arden sequence. Designer Paul Wills heads the creative team, and his whiteboard-style forest provides a playful backdrop for the action.
Standout Performances and a Human Jaques
The cast includes Lola Shalam as the high-strung romantic lead Rosalind, Gracie Oddie-Jones as her amusingly laidback posh friend Celia, and co-director Charlie Josephine himself as the insecure wannabe geezer Orlando. Jonathan Broadbent's Touchstone is described as a scene-stealer with a look that can only be called "French gimp." Katherine Pearce's Jaques is a standout, offering a "lovely, human take" on the role—sensitive and downbeat rather than the thunderous, performative melancholy typically associated with the character.
Lukowski notes that Holmes, the Globe's deputy, is "just very good with Shakespeare's comedies," finding a halfway point between the Bard's sensibilities and more ironic modern ones. Despite appearing late in the season, when the Globe often presents more challenging fare, this production is refreshingly accessible and fun.
Performance Schedule and Ticket Details
The production is staged at Shakespeare's Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT, with the nearest Tube stations being Blackfriars, Mansion House, and London Bridge. Performances are scheduled for 23 August at 13:00 and 18:30, 9 September at 14:00 and 19:30, 10 September at 14:00, 11 September at 19:30, 15 September at 19:30, 16 September at 14:00, 17 September at 19:30, and 18 September at 14:00, with further dates through 25 October. All performances run 2 hours 45 minutes, and tickets range from £5 to £85.
