The woods of the Arden Forest found their true home this week as Shropshire Youth Theatre brought William Shakespeare’s As You Like It back to the very ground that breathes life into its history.
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- The Dance
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- The fight with the Lion
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- Opening
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- Sermons in Stones
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- Adam
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- Charles
It was a milestone event: the first-ever recorded performance of the play at Soulton Hall, the ancestral seat of “Old Sir Rowland.”
From the opening lines, it was clear that this would be no stiff, academic recitation. The young performers delivered a production that was exuberant and unapologetically irreverent. They approached the Elizabethan text not as a fragile antique, but as a living, breathing playground.
The cast displayed a rare level of comfort with the complex prose and verse, weaving through the wit and wordplay with a natural ease that made the centuries-old dialogue feel remarkably modern. This confidence allowed the humor to land with precision, drawing the audience into the playful chaos of the story.
Orlando finaly gets his Rosalind – SYT’s AS YOU LIKE IT at Soulton Hall, 2026
There is a profound magic in seeing a story performed where its roots are deepest.
The connection between the actors and the location was palpable. Soulton Hall served as more than just a backdrop; it was a silent character in the drama.
The performance utilized the unique atmosphere of the estate to ground the play in reality. The synergy between the physical space and the narrative created an immersive experience that felt less like a stage play and more like a gathering of old friends in a familiar place.
Perhaps the most touching moment of the evening came at the conclusion.
As the final notes of the performance echoed across the grounds, the spirit of the event reached its peak. In seamless integration of history and art, the house itself—Soulton Hall—received a well-deserved curtain call alongside the cast.
Curtain Call for the First Ever AS YOU LIKE IT performace recorded at Soulton Hall
It was a celebration of heritage, youth, and the power of storytelling.
Shropshire Youth Theatre did more than just put on a show; they orchestrated a homecoming.
May 8, 2026, the Shropshire Youth Theatre ensemble makes history by returning As You Like It to the landscape and family home of the figures who inspired its creation
