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Overview

Synopsis

In one of Shakespeare’s most beloved romantic pastoral comedies, we follow the young heroine Rosalind from the court of her vindictive uncle, Duke Frederick, into the Eden-like Forest of Arden, where her banished father is living in exile. In order to avoid running into trouble, Rosalind disguises herself as a young man, “Ganymede,” and, accompanied by her faithful cousin Celia and the court clown, Touchstone, makes her way into the woods. She soon encounters the young, handsome Orlando, who is also fleeing from Duke Frederick’s court, and who is sick with love for Rosalind. Still disguised as Ganymede, Rosalind tests Orlando’s feelings for her and teaches him about the nature of true love; by the end of the play, four love matches have been made in the forest. As You Like It is an entertaining and touching exploration of life, death, love, family and the bonds that tie us together.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
5
First Produced
1599
Genres
Comedy
Settings
Simple/No Set, Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
france, forest of arden
Cast Size
large
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Star Vehicle Female, High School, Includes Mature Adult, Elderly, Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult Characters, Large Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Orlando de Bois

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Rosalind

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Touchstone

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Duke Senior

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Jacques

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Phoebe

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Silvius

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Celia

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Duke Frederick

Featured

Male

Spoken

Le Beau

Featured

Male

Spoken

Charles

Featured

Male

Spoken

Amiens

Featured

Male

Spoken

Adam

Featured

Male

Spoken

Dennis

Featured

Male

Spoken

Audrey

Featured

Female

Corin

Featured

Male

Spoken

William

Featured

Male

Spoken

Sir Oliver Martext

Featured

Male

Spoken

Hymen, the God of Marriage

Featured

Female

Spoken

Oliver de Bois

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Jacques de Bois

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either or Both

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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