RSC’s all-male As You Like It opens with technical glitch but earns acclaim

Key points

• Jonathan Groff stars as Rosalind in the RSC’s all-male staging of As You Like It, running until November 7, 2026.
• Opening night was interrupted by a technical malfunction where the set failed to rise, causing a substantial delay before the forest scene emerged.
• Director Daniel Evans and designer Anisha Fields reimagined the Forest of Arden as a Welsh landscape, accompanied by a cappella Welsh hymns.
• The production emphasizes themes of finding home and identity, with the all-male cast reframing gender dynamics as a search for acceptance rather than societal norms.
• Critics awarded the production four stars, praising the chemistry between Groff and Fisayo Akinade (Celia) and Richard McCabe’s portrayal of Jaques.

Background

This is the third RSC production of As You Like It in three years, following a 2023 staging led by Geraldine James and an outdoor presentation in 2024. The current production marks a distinct shift toward an all-male cast, echoing historical theatrical practices while addressing modern questions of identity.

How outlets are covering it

The Financial Times and The New York Times both highlighted the opening night technical glitch but emphasized the production’s emotional resonance and 'liberatory' nature. The Financial Times noted the show’s focus on 'hiraeth' (longing) and the Welsh setting, while The New York Times described the production as 'beautifully broken.' StageTalk Magazine focused on the physical design, describing the court as a 'frozen pond' and the forest as a 'real-life landscape,' and praised the audience’s patience during the delay. The Independent featured an interview with Jonathan Groff, who described wearing a dress as 'incredibly liberating,' aligning with the production’s thematic exploration of gender and identity.

Why it matters

The production demonstrates the Royal Shakespeare Company’s continued innovation in staging classic texts, using contemporary casting and design to explore timeless themes of displacement and belonging. The critical acclaim, despite the technical mishap, underscores the strength of the performances and the relevance of the all-male interpretation in modern theatre.

What to watch

The production will continue at the RSC Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon until November 7, 2026. Audiences can expect to see the full cast, including Fisayo Akinade, Elliot Barnes-Worrell, and Richard McCabe, in a run that has already garnered significant attention for its artistic vision and technical challenges.