Immersive productions are still all the rage, and when they’re done properly, you can appreciate why. Watch Your Head specialise in these kind of theatrical events and for their latest show they’ve taken on Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It and staged it in Windsor’s Savill Garden, with the action moving around the grounds. Just in case you’re not familiar with the play, it’s set in a forest, so they’ve totally nailed it location-wise. And frankly it’s worth it for the trip around the gardens alone…they are properly beautiful and it’s these bits of the performance that feel most alive.
Overhead planes are initially distracting but the actors are engaging, and generally loud enough, to withstand it, and with lots of music, acrobatics and dancing throughout, plus wedding feast at the end where you can eat and drink along with the performance, it’s a great, unstuffy way to experience Shakespeare, especially if the idea of sitting in a theatre for two hours gives you nightmares.
The whole show takes place outside, and this is England after all, so definitely do a little wardrobe prep. Go for proper shoes to cope with potentially squelchy ground and perhaps something with a hood…the performance won’t stop for light rain so neither should you. And although you don’t have to order any food and drink for the final wedding scene, it really does get everyone feeling more festive.
Get tickets
Until Sun 24th July 2016
The Savill Garden, Wick Lane, Englefield Green, TW20 0UU
www.watch-your-head.co.uk