The Beatles and the Bard
AS YOU LIKE IT: the magical, mystery mash-up makes its Eastern Canada premiere at the Grand Theatre.
It’s Shakespeare’s beloved comedy. Re-set it in the 1960s, in Canada’s Okanagan Valley. Now, add lots of hit songs by The Beatles (24 of them to be exact), and have the cast sing and play them live. And while you’re at it, open the doors to a 20-minute WWE-style wrestling match set to the tune of “Money (That’s What I Want)” as the audience takes their seats.
If you think you’ve seen it all, you’ll need to see As You Like It, kicking off the Grand Theatre’s 2024/25 season October 15 to November 2.
It was Sarnia, Ont. born Daryl Cloran, in partnership with Vancouver’s Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, who concocted this unexpected fusion of two of the world’s most enduring influences in theatre and music.
For him, it’s not much of a stretch. “As You Like It is already one of Shakespeare’s most musical plays. It already had a couple of songs in it, and is quite lyrical in its construction,” explains Cloran, who is the Artistic Director of The Citadel Theatre in Edmonton. “I think one of the great successes of the show is that all of [The Beatles’] songs continue the journeys of these Shakespearean characters through song.”
As for who should be making their way to London, Ontario’s downtown to see this mash-up: “this production is definitely for Beatles fans. It’s definitely for Shakespeare fans. But I think it’s also a great gateway to Shakespeare,” says Cloran.
As You Like It was first performed in the early 17th century and has since become one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays. Set in the enchanted Forest of Arden (which has been re-dressed as the Okanagan Valley in Cloran’s production), the story follows the journey of Rosalind as she navigates various complexities of love and identity. Filled with witty dialogue, mistaken identity, memorable characters, and a touch of magic, As You Like It continues to resonate with audiences over 400 years later.
For the 1960s edition coming to the Grand, existing themes of love and friendship carry through effortlessly, and with so many of Shakespeare’s texts taking characters down ‘long, and winding roads’ into a pastoral forest-scape, it is not difficult to imagine those same characters hopping into a Volkswagen bus for their journey into the wood.
With the production drawing clear parallels between The Bard’s enduring appeal and the phenomenon of The Beatles, it’s clear that both have stood the test of time. Just as Shakespeare’s plays continue to captivate audiences with their universal themes and enduring relevance, The Beatles revolutionized the music industry with their innovative sound, and timeless lyrics. Audiences can expect their experience to include 24 of The Fab Four’s greatest hits (such as “We Can Work It Out”, “Help!”, “I Am The Walrus”, and more), integrated into the story, and played live on stage by members of the cast.
And what was this about a wrestling match? Shakespeare’s As You Like It famously begins with a wrestling match that sets into action the events of the story. In As You Like It (Beatles’ Version) audiences will be taking their seats as a full-scale wrestling match is already in progress on stage (so do make sure to arrive early to enjoy the pre-show spectacle).
“Often in musicals, you talk about actors being ‘triple-threats’, meaning they can sing, dance, and act,” explains Cloran. “In As You Like It, we need quadruple, and sometimes quintuple threats, because not only do they have to be great at Shakespeare, and great singers, musicians, and great dancers, a number of them have to be great wrestlers as well. The virtuosity on display by these actors, is amazing.”
A smash hit in Chicago, Washington, Vancouver, and more, As You Like It at the Grand Theatre will be the ninth time that this adaptation has taken the stage, and the first time that audiences in Eastern Canada will have the opportunity to see this take on a classic. “The Grand is one of the most beautiful theatres in Canada, and it feels like a very special honour to be invited to be part of that legacy and to share work on that historic stage,” says Cloran.
As You Like It plays on the Spriet Stage from October 15 to November 2, 2024. The Grand Theatre thanks As You Like It Title Sponsor, Bluestone Properties, as well as Season Sponsor BMO, and Downtown Community Partner, Old Oak Properties.
Tickets ($24 - $96, depending on seating zone) are available at grandtheatre.com or by phoning the Box Office at 519.672.8800.
Photo Credit: The Company of AS YOU LIKE IT. Photo by Trudie Lee for Theatre Calgary.
