As You Like It (1983)
by William Shakespeare
Richard Digby Day's classic take on one of Shakespeare's most well known comedies, featured some very well received performances from a stellar cast. Olympic/World Champion ice skater (and BBC Sports Personality) John Curry played a 'pleasing' Orlando, and his fellow romantic lead, Louise Jameson a 'lovely' Rosalind (The Yorkshire Post). The production also featured Abigail McKern (as Celia), who also won the SWET (now Olivier) Award for Best Supporting Actress. It was David William's Jaques that stole the show, who's performance 'ought to do down in theatrical history' due to 'exquisite timing' and 'superbly poised contemplation' (The Daily Telegraph).
The cast
John Curry
Orlando
![John Curry in As You Like It (1983)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/b4f3ad4fdfe07ed6b3d546707cf784616911f223_john_curry_1976.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Donald Pelmear
Adam/Sir Oliver Martext
![Donald Pelmear in As You Like It (1983)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/9ca91d80-d371-444b-b6b9-09a024f96342_OAT+for+Heritage.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,159,1956,1223&w=160&h=100)
Stephen Rayne
Oliver
![Stephen Rayne in As You Like It (1983)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/9ca91d80-d371-444b-b6b9-09a024f96342_OAT+for+Heritage.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,159,1956,1223&w=160&h=100)
Douglas Hodge
Dennis/Silvius
![Douglas Hodge in As You Like It (1983)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/84322b373b0c951c9694a3a31edd76f5e9065adf_doug_by_andrew_ogilvy_photography_web_friendly_bw.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Vincenzo Nicoli
Charles
![Vincenzo Nicoli in As You Like It (1983)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/71d3f515dd9a3e7d7c2373dacc55d29012ce2bb8_download.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Louise Jameson
Rosalind
![Louise Jameson in As You Like It (1983)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/9b020380416543c7f11d08db73746273778e8a6b_louise_jameson_and_janet_dibley.png?auto=compress,format)
Abigail McKern
Celia
![Abigail McKern in As You Like It (1983)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/1a2e8fc4cb5566effb56543f66ceaa7ebc729a3b_abigail-mckern-200x250.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Paul Raffield
Touchstone
![Paul Raffield in As You Like It (1983)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/cbae56e436b5b907c2a07ef1ce00b2c69f158ba1_paul-raffield.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Graham Chinn
Le Beau/William
![Graham Chinn in As You Like It (1983)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/9ca91d80-d371-444b-b6b9-09a024f96342_OAT+for+Heritage.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,159,1956,1223&w=160&h=100)
James Cairncross
Duke Frederick/Duke
![James Cairncross in As You Like It (1983)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/9ca91d80-d371-444b-b6b9-09a024f96342_OAT+for+Heritage.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,159,1956,1223&w=160&h=100)
Robert Lister
Amiens
![Robert Lister in As You Like It (1983)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/9ca91d80-d371-444b-b6b9-09a024f96342_OAT+for+Heritage.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,159,1956,1223&w=160&h=100)
Stephen Newman
First Page
![Stephen Newman in As You Like It (1983)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/9ca91d80-d371-444b-b6b9-09a024f96342_OAT+for+Heritage.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,159,1956,1223&w=160&h=100)
Francesca Longrigg
Second Page
![Francesca Longrigg in As You Like It (1983)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/9ca91d80-d371-444b-b6b9-09a024f96342_OAT+for+Heritage.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,159,1956,1223&w=160&h=100)
Hamilton Wilson
Court Lord/James de Boys
![Hamilton Wilson in As You Like It (1983)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/9ca91d80-d371-444b-b6b9-09a024f96342_OAT+for+Heritage.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,159,1956,1223&w=160&h=100)
David Whitworth
Corin (until 18.06.83)
![David Whitworth in As You Like It (1983)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/c3aad09d203e7c470e9b8eeb9e3bb8061282cf69_rehearsals-thursday-17-april-121.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Berwick Kaler
Corin (from 19.06.83)
![Berwick Kaler in As You Like It (1983)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/39cee25eb0fa73ec1dee7b676d800e3787396ef4_berwick.jpg?auto=compress,format)
David William
Jaques
![David William in As You Like It (1983)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/5fe4d2f910e06c691b4121edf27401d04c9255de_as-you-like-it-1983-jaques---david-william.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Janet Moran
Audrey
![Janet Moran in As You Like It (1983)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/9ca91d80-d371-444b-b6b9-09a024f96342_OAT+for+Heritage.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,159,1956,1223&w=160&h=100)
Julie Dawn Cole
Phebe
![Julie Dawn Cole in As You Like It (1983)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/1c4cabaed08645c57fa8143c08fb8fad4e560271_800px-julie_dawn_cole_by_gage_skidmore.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Creative team
Programmes and Marketing
Reviews
The Daily Telegraph
"One performance ought to do down in theatrical history. It is David William as the melancholy Jaques. Here is a philosopher of superbly poised contemplation who brings an authority elsewhere lacking on this stage, and who exquisie timing and vocal control contrive to pitch the role into the centre of the evening." "...there is a good deal of charm in the acting of Rosalind (Louise Jameson) and Celia (Abigail McKern)." "A word of warm praise, however, for two of the real rustics - Douglas Hodge and Julie Dawn Cole. They make real emotion out of being lovelorn."
The Yorkshire Post
"Richard Digby Day's direction is unobtrusively effective, as are the individual performances, in evoking the comedy and romanticism of Arden." "The role of Jaques is given a particularly fine sepulchral reading by David William - the Seven Ages oration is exquisitely spoken."
Awards
Actress of the Year in a Supporting Role
Olivier Award: Won
Most Promising Newcomer of the Year in Theatre
Olivier Award: Nominated