As You Like It at The Lowry

With an ensemble of 12 Northern actors, Northern Broadsides will lift the hearts of The Lowry’s theatre-goers this March with Shakespeare’s dazzling and joyous comedy As You Like It.

Bold, refreshing and celebratory, As You Like It marks Northern Broadsides’ 30th anniversary year and the company’s first full production since the beginning of the pandemic.

Northern Broadsides will lift the hearts of The Lowry’s theatre-goers this March.

Directed by Laurie Sansom, this Northern Broadsides and New Vic Co-production brings some of Shakespeare’s most charismatic characters and memorable poetry.

The play unfolds in a world where brute strength triumphs over basic human kindness. Spirited Rosalind finds herself banished from the palace by the all-powerful Duke Frederick, who has usurped power from his older brother, Rosalind’s father. Battling with her heart and her head, and supported by her loyal cousin Celia, daughter of Duke Frederick, the two flee into the Forest of Arden.

Escaping into the forest in disguise, and with her cousin by her side, Rosalind bumps into her love interest, Orlando, and the play journeys into a game of fluid identity, where barriers are broken down and all can discover their deeper selves.

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players”

Bringing the captivating energy and thrill of live performance once more, this glorious production celebrates the transformative nature of love. With a multi-cultural, gender-diverse cast, this bold and fresh staging asks the audience to imagine a new future while still emboldening Shakespeare’s timeless themes of love, gender, identity and power.

With a multi-cultural, gender-diverse cast, this bold and fresh staging asks the audience to imagine a new future.

With a striking original set and high-style costume by E.M. Parry, the production promises to be a visual spectacle for audiences.

Founded in 1992, Halifax-based Northern Broadsides have been making original, and highly creative productions for the last 30 years. Earning applause and acclaim from audiences and critics alike – they are best known for blending witty adaptations of classical plays, often Shakespearian texts, with new works from talented contemporary theatre-makers.

Inspired by the diverse voices, cultures and heritage found in the North, Northern Broadsides bring a proud northern twist into everything that they do. We recommend getting booked in for this flamboyant and fabulous show as soon as you can.