Kirkpatrick returns in familiar script

There’s a lot of Shakespeare floating around these days.

And the timing of As You Like It couldn’t be more appropriate. What better way to usher in spring than with one of the Bard’s sunniest, most romantic comedies, now playing at the Citadel Theatre until May 9.

Written with energy and life, it dwells on some of the Elizabethan’s favourite pastimes — speculations on the adventures of young love, sex and gossip. And that’s not much different from the pairings of today’s TV fodder as seen on O.C., Gossip Girl and 90210.

Inspired by the vibrancy of mid-20th century cultural life, director James MacDonald has taken this 16th century concoction and planted it squarely during France’s Vichy Regime of the early 1940s.

“The celebrated French notion of fraternitĂ© was severely challenged during this dark period,” says MacDonald. “It was this parallel that first drew me to set the play during this particular era. As You Like It embodies a journey from dark to light, from conflict to redemption.”

Constructed with disguises and role reversals, As You Like It centres on the escapades of Rosalind, long considered one of Shakespeare’s most charming heroines, an unusually independent, strong-willed, good-hearted and clever young woman.

In a palace coup, Duke Frederick has banished his older brother Duke Senior, Rosalind’s father, to the bucolic Arden Forest. At first Rosalind is allowed to remain at court because of her close friendship with Celia, Frederick’s daughter. But Rosalind falls in love with Orlando, a young man whose father is Frederick’s sworn enemy. Fearing for her safety, she and Celia disguise themselves and along with Touchstone, the court jester, escape to the Arden Forest.

Orlando, knowing Rosalind has fled to the forest, wanders around hanging love verses on tree branches. And Rosalind, disguised as the male Ganymede, has lengthy homoerotic discussions with him. In addition, the different folk of the forest ooze out of the woodwork and the contagious lovesickness grows into an epidemic.

Yet in this tale of romantic revelry, there is one discordant note in Jaques, one of Duke Senior’s faithful lords who accompanies him into exile. Jaques has a bleak view of life and sees human existence as one depressing role after another.

Although only a secondary character, it is one of those roles in the Shakespearean lexicon actors crave to play. “An opportunity to play this part is what every actor dreams of and I’m honoured to be playing it, ” says John Kirkpatrick, one of St. Albert Children’s Theatre stellar alumni.

“He’s such a cranky guy and he has one of the most famous speeches in Shakespeare’s works. It’s so awesome. It’s one of those amazing speeches that sums up life.“

He is referring to Jaques’ recognizable monologue, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and entrances and one man in his time plays many parts.”

Kirkpatrick knows As You Like It quite intimately, having played Touchstone about 10 years ago and later directing it during his five-year tenure as artistic director of the Free Will Shakespeare Festival. “It’s probably one of the first sit-coms ever written.”

Of his own character, Kirkpatrick humbly describes Jaques as “lonely. He observes everyone. He’s quiet, sad and thoughtful.”

But although reticent about Jaques, Kirkpatrick is quite vocal about the musical aspect of the show. He particularly singles out the lush voice of Leah Oster, who plays the jolly Amiens. “She gives a jaw-dropping performance.”

A pay-what-you-can performance is on Sunday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m.