Comic visual feast will be as you like it

Scenes from the play, As You Like It at Te Puna Quarry. Photo/Penelope Coleman

Costumes for Shakespeare's As You Like It are opulent and have been especially made in the United States and China for the production.

The 18th century inspired costumes channel Keira Knightley from the movie The Duchess, says director Suzy Sampson, and her premise for the production was for it to be as beautiful as possible.

"With Shakespeare, sometimes the language can be hard to understand, so we tell the story with the costumes as well as through the antics of the characters."

The quarry itself adds another visual layer of beauty to the production and the gorgeous setting is perfect for the play, she says.

"Parts of the play are set in a magical forest, so the quarry is perfect. Just on dusk in the early evening, it's so still and when the fairy lights come on, it's really quite special."

"I also like the fact that the ferns and ponga add a Kiwi element to the play. They make it our own," she says.

As You Like It runs the gamut of pastoral romance, cross dressing, satire, sage advice and reparation, according to Sampson.

"It is a very funny play and we are often in hysterics with the antics of our actors."

She says it has an outstanding cast including David Simes from Mount Maunganui College and Kaydin Budd from Te Wharakura o Mauao, who were selected to be a part of the Young Shakespeare Company training at Shakespeare's Globe in London and the RSC in Stratford upon Avon in July.

Tonight's performance is a Charity Banquet in aid of the NZ Heart Foundation. Seating is limited, so take a rug or low chair, wrap up warm and enjoy the visual and comic feast.

the fine print
What: As You Like It - Outdoor Shakespeare in the Bay
Where: Te Puna Quarry Park
When: January 28-February 7, 7.30-10pm.