So there we were in the Forest of Arden

[mojosmom]

There was a shortened, "family-friendly" version of As You Like It in a local park this afternoon, put on by Spectralia Theatre Company. Being outdoors, there was no stage, just a backdrop and "trees" and "tents" made from cloth and wood. Nevertheless, you'd think that someone would notice those, as well as the dozens of people sitting in chairs and on blankets, not to mention actors declaiming Shakespeare. Apparently, however, gabbing on your cellphone renders you oblivious to all that. At least it did to the full-grown adult male who wandered through the Forest of Arden, phone to ear, for all the world as if he belonged there. Truth be told, because the actors were in regular clothes, were making entrances and exits through the crowd, and kept on with the job as though he weren't even there, for a minute we thought he was part of the show! Until he wandered off as slowly and casually as he had come. It was pretty funny, actually, and after the show I congratulated the actors on their professionalism.

The show itself was quite fun, the cuts not detracting. There were lots of little kids in the audience as well. It rather reminded me of the days when Court Theatre was outdoor summer theatre at the University of Chicago, and our parents took us to watch Shakespeare in Hutchinson courtyard.