Bell Shakespeare Presents: As You Like It

As You Like It is one of Shakespeare’s best-beloved comedies. With Bell Shakespeare at the helm, audiences from all backgrounds are sure to find something to enjoy, even if Shakespeare seems like Greek to you. “My dad used to ask why they couldn’t translate it into English!”, laughs Kelly Paterniti, who plays Celia in the production. “[But] if you like good storytelling, you might be surprised. It has all the magic of a fairy tale but it’s grounded in really beautiful truths and passages of speech that are so beautiful.” Paterniti, who’s enjoying her debut season with the company, says that this production is thoroughly grounded in its story, eschewing an often gimicky setting that many productions of Shakespeare comedies use. “In the end, the story is the story,” Paterniti said, “Although it is very funny, it is grounded in truth and reality.” When asked what she hopes audiences will take away from this particular production, Paterniti reflected upon the mythical forest of Arden where the story takes place. “Everyone is yearning for something they can’t quite grasp,” she explained. “And I think that rings true for everyone in life.” (SW)

21 February – 21 March, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney, NSW, Tickets $35 – $79, www.sydneyoperahouse.com, (02) 9250 7777.