Shakespeare in the Ring
By Katie Sullivan
Cavalier Daily Senior Writer
Shakespeare probably did not have the World Wrestling Federation in mind when he wrote the play "As You Like It." But Shakespeare on the Lawn has added it for him.
The play, which will run tonight, tomorrow and Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Student Activities Building, will contain some WWF style moves in a scene Shakespeare described simply as "They wrestle."
Director Ginny Weckstein, a fourth-year College student, said that she chose "As You Like It" because the humor in the play allows it to almost direct itself.
"For me, it explores issues about things that aren't what they seem to be - places where solid conceptions of male and female break down," Weckstein said.
Weckstein is currently writing her thesis on wise fools in Shakespeare, with the character Touchstone of "As You Like It" being one of the most famous examples.
"As You Like It," which Weckstein described as Shakespeare's happiest play, is known to English students as a play full of cross-dressing and identity confusion, and also for one of Shakespeare's strongest female roles.
"'As You Like It' has one of the most developed bonds between women characters," Weckstein said. "It's great because we have a lot of strong female actresses."
Weckstein said that the play has been slightly modified - not only in the wrestling scene, but also in the costuming.
"We didn't use the traditional Renaissance costuming," she said. "It's sort of modified high school - all of the characters are types you'd see in high school. For example, I turned a melancholy character, Jacques, into Goth."
The staging also has been simplified to Shakespeare on the Lawn's traditionally minimalist black stage, with the addition of some green sponge painting and a 10-foot-tall tree.
Shakespeare on the Lawn has been putting on Shakespeare's plays at the University for eight years, always for free. This show is no exception.
Second-year College student Cassa Hernandez, publicity chair for Shakespeare on the Lawn, said that the free productions are made possible through donations.
"It's in our constitution that the plays are free," Hernandez said. "We want to make Shakespeare more accessible to students."
The troupe, which normally puts on two plays a year, has been rehearsing for this production since the end of September.
The play is directed and staffed by University students, and audiences include students, parents, and community members, according to Hernandez.
With cross-dressing, wrestling and free tickets, there's no reason to avoid the Bard this weekend.
"We'd love to have everyone come," Weckstein said. "It's a really good play, and we have a very talented group of actors"
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