A man and a woman stand centre stage, dancing with a large group of other men and woman who clap along. Text along the top says

Christopher Allen and Sara Farb (centre) with members of the company in As You Like It. Photography by David Hou.

Large title text in the middle says

Sara Farb and Christopher Allen. Photography by Ted Belton.

Festival Theatre

May 3 – October 24 |

Opens May 26

Shakespeare

AS YOU LIKE IT

By William Shakespeare

Directed by Chris Abraham

Audience Advisory »

“WE THAT ARE TRUE LOVERS RUN INTO STRANGE CAPERS...”

Harvests have grown thin, and the world is out of joint. Duke Frederick seizes power from his sister, the Duchess, forcing her into exile in the Forest of Arden. Her daughter Rosalind soon follows, fleeing the court with her loyal cousin Celia. Disguised as a boy named Ganymede, Rosalind navigates a new life among exiles, rebels, and the rural inhabitants of an ancient forest. There, she encounters Orlando—fleeing his vindictive brother Oliver—and puts his claim of love to the test. Their witty role-playing sparks a charged, self-questioning, and profound journey towards love.

Amidst mistaken identities, multiple romantic entanglements, and a few songs, the forest becomes a place where exiles, lovers, and a banished Duchess come to see the world—and their place in it—differently. The play ends in celebration, with long-separated families reunited and multiple couples joyfully wed.

Runtime: 2 hours and 37 minutes, including one 20-minute intermission*
*Run times are approximate

Download House Program

Additional Resources:

As You Like It Study Guide

Interview with Christopher Allen and Sara Farb

CAST & CREATIVE

CAST

CREATIVE

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO

A group of people bringing sandbags to a stack in the centre stage. To the left are people wearing uniforms and holding guns. The stage is darkly lit.

Members of the company in As You Like It. Photography by David Hou.

Two men in a fight. One man is laying on a stack of sandbags while another man is on top of him, holding his hands threateningly. Behind, another man watches on.

From left: John Ng, Andrew Chown and Christopher Allen in As You Like It. Photography by David Hou.

A White man stands in the foreground wearing a brown jacket and strokes his beard. A White man stands in the background, wearing a long black coat and looks at the first man. Between them and in the background are stacks of sandbags.

Andrew Chown (right) with Joe Perry in As You Like It. Photography by David Hou.

Two woman speaking to each other. They both wear long, white dresses and scarves. They look distressed, but are generally calm.

Makambe K. Simamba (left) and Sara Farb in As You Like It. Photography by David Hou.

A man in a long, green trench coat and cap speaks with two young women, who wear long black coats and white hoods.

From left: Jeff Lillico, Makambe K. Simamba and Sara Farb in As You Like It. Photography by David Hou.

A group of people wearing army fatigues, and fur coats and hats. They carry weapons. In the centre is an older White woman who appears to be their leader.

Seana McKenna with members of the company in As You Like It. Photography by David Hou.

A White man with long brown hair and a goatee. He wears a brown cowboy hat and jacket. He crosses his arms and looks over his shoulder.

Aaron Krohn in As You Like It. Photography by David Hou.

A man on the left plays an acoustic guitar. He wears fatigues, a winter hat and boots. A man on the right stands beside him. He wears a long brown overcoat, a black cowboy hat and boots.

Gabriel Antonacci (left) and Aaron Krohn in As You Like It. Photography by David Hou.

Three people peek through a crack in a door, with their heads stacked on top of each other. In the foreground is a pile of hay with four pieces of wood sticking out.

Steve Ross, Hiro Kanagawa and Sara Farb in As You Like It. Photography by David Hou.

A woman with a painted beard reads a note. She wears a denim jacket and brown pants. In the background is a large pile of hay.

Sara Farb in As You Like It. Photography by David Hou.

A man holds his hands up indicating he does not have weapons. He holds a letter in his hand and wears a green army jacket.

Christopher Allen in As You Like It. Photography by David Hou.

A woman and a man talk to each other while sitting on a hay bale. They wear clothing in muted earthy colours.

Sara Farb and Christopher Allen in As You Like It. Photography by David Hou.

A man with a homemade sling on his arm. He wears a knit tank top and green pants.

Christopher Allen in As You Like It. Photography by David Hou.

A woman holds up a letter in the air in front of her face. She wears a light brown coat over a floral dress. She wears her hair under a kerchief.

Makambe K. Simamba in As You Like It. Photography by David Hou.

A woman in the foreground looks off to the left. She wears dark blue coveralls with a white and blue plaid shirt tied around her wait. A man on the right addresses her, with his hand in the air. He wears long khaki pants, a hooded sweater and a vest with tall rubber boots.

Jessica B. Hill and Michael Man in As You Like It. Photography by David Hou.

A man speaking and gesticulating with his hands. He wears army fatigue and holds a gun across his body.

Andrew Chown in As You Like It. Photography by David Hou.

A woman and a man kiss at their wedding. The woman wears a short blue dress, converse sneakers, and a long veil. The man wears a brown tank top and dark green pants. Next to them stands an older woman wearing army fatigue pants and a green jacket. She supports herself with a cane.

From left: Seana McKenna, Sara Farb and Christopher Allen in As You Like It. Photography by David Hou.

A woman stands centre stage, wearing a short blue dress. People are seated around her in the flowers, looking towards her.

Sara Farb (centre) with members of the company in As You Like It. Photography by David Hou.

A man dressed fully in shrubs, wearing a basket full of flowers on his head. Behind him stands two people hugging, one wearing a flower crown.

From left: John Ng, Jessica B. Hill and Michael Man in As You Like It. Photography by David Hou.

A small group of musicians. On the left, a man plays a washboard. In the centre, a man plays a banjo. On the right, a man plays an acoustic guitar.

From left: Evan Mercer, Joe Perry and Gabriel Antonacci in As You Like It. Photography by David Hou.

Musicians and people of the forest gather together and celebrate. They are wearing a variety of upcycled clothes, some more formal than others.

Members of the company in As You Like It. Photography by David Hou.

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