Shakespeare in the Squares’ new production of As You Like It, Shakespeare’s enchanting comedy of love, desire and mistaken identity, is set on the brink of the Seventies, during the first Glastonbury Festival.
Founded by Sue Fletcher and Martin Neild in 2016, Shakespeare in the Squares is a not-for-profit touring theatre company that stages a Shakespeare play across London squares every summer.
We caught up with Jack Brett who takes on the role of Orlando to find out more.
As You Like It is being performed in London Squares and Gardens from 20th June – 12th July 2018, find your nearest performance here.
Tell us about Shakespeare in the Squares?
Shakespeare in the Squares is this really exciting company that stages Shakespeare within the secret greenery of London. You know all those square gardens, the likes of which you have only seen in films such as Notting Hill? Well, we liberate those spaces, open them up to the public and turn them into these bohemian outdoor venues, perfect for a group of touring players putting on unconventional Shakespeare for Londoners!
How does this production of As You Like It differ from other productions?
For a start, you get bottled milk on entry, just like the first ever Glastonbury. The show has this real festival, free love kind of vibe, which goes hand in hand with Shakespeare’s comedy about identity and class and of course, love. There’ll be picnics and bars and dancing and live music and all on the door step of local communities.
How did you get involved in Shakespeare in the Squares and this production?
Basically I saw a casting last year to play Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet and thought, yes, I’d really like to have a go at that. The venues didn’t even come into the equation. I was pretty unaware of the nature of the touring. And you don’t really care where you’re going when you’re doing Shakespeare, well for me anyway. I just want to say the words and tell the story. So anyway, I got the part, and loved it so much, venues and all, I basically begged for an audition for this year’s show!
What are the challenges of performing outdoors in London’s parks and Squares?
I wouldn’t say that there are any new challenges to working outside. It’s just a different way of working that might be new to some actors. Everything’s pretty much the same. You still have to prioritise the story. It just happens that you’re telling it in broad daylight, a few cm’s away from the audience! There’s no smoke and mirrors or any typical theatrics you’d find in a traditional theatre. What you see is what you get. It’s very revealing and very visceral actually, in terms of action happening right before your eyes, rather than through a 3rd wall or proscenium arch. It’s kind of in between immersive theatre and sit-in-your-seat theatre. Thrilling for both actor and audience, hopefully! So no new challenges really. Although last year in Romeo and Juliet we had bystanders interacting with the show in real time. They really thought the death scenes were genuine and shouted for help! Not a challenge as such, but definitely something you wouldn’t get in conventional theatre!
What do you like most about your character?
When you first read Shakespeare you can often think it’s pretty distant from the reality that we all know. Especially with falling in love, which happens a lot in this play and something my character Orlando goes through in all Shakespearean glory. However, I’ve found Orlando’s experience with wooing and my own experiences surprisingly similar! We all definitely do crazy things when we are in love. I’ve written sad songs in my bedroom about being in love, in all seriousness! Same as Orlando writing his love poems about Rosalind. The way Orlando openly and very progressively deals with love is something I’m really enjoying exploring. I also get to do some pretty death defying wrestling, which is pretty cool. And wearing Flares! I’m very excited about that.
What would you say to people who might not usually come to see Shakespeare?
I would say, “Look, I know you’re not keen on Shakespeare, I won’t ask you the ins and outs, but just come along, bring some beers and I promise you, you’ll not regret it”. I’d probably then tell them to read this interview to get a bit more of a taste of what it’s all about. It’s also meant to be a very hot summer. Sun and Shakespeare, win win!
