We always note with great enthusiasm news that Shakespeare’s As You Like It is being performed near us, because of our deep and rich connections with this remarkable work of art.
We are therefore excited to announce that the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (formerly Birmingham School of Acting) will be delivering upcoming performances of As You Like It. Their third-year students will be staging a contemporary interpretation of the play in venues located directly within and around the historical expanse of the ancient Forest of Arden. These include outdoor performances at Lightwoods House and Selly Manor, as well as a performance at the Attic Theatre in Shakespeare’s birthplace.
Soulton Hall’s history is rich with fascinating literary and historical connections, but perhaps the most significant of these is our link to As You Like It. Shakespeare’s primary source for the play was Thomas Lodge’s prose romance, Rosalynde. Soulton is, in fact, the Lodge family’s Tudor home in Shropshire, which passed to ‘Old Sir Rowland’ Hill. Sir Rowland was a figure directly associated with ancient families of Arden, and Lodge’s narrative was profoundly influenced by the very real landscape and prominent families within the historical Forest of Arden. Furthermore, Soulton Hall itself possesses the unique “Dancing Pavement” – a geological feature steeped in local folklore and a traditional site for communal gatherings over centuries, embodying the very spirit of the pastoral and communal life depicted in Shakespeare’s Arden.
This presents a remarkable opportunity to experience a classic work of English literature brought to life in settings that powerfully echo its original inspiration, and to appreciate its profound connection to our own historical landscape and heritage.
We encourage you to consider attending one of these culturally significant local productions.
Performance and Ticket Information:
- Lightwoods House: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/bearwood/lightwoods-house-and-park/as-you-like-it-shakespeare-in-the-garden/e-gyvxad
- The Attic Theatre: https://theattictheatre.co.uk/shows/as-you-like-it/
- Selly Manor: https://sellymanormuseum.org.uk/events/2025-06-15/as-you-like-it
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