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Tim Preston

@timpreston_

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“All the world’s a stage…” 🎭
I genuinely don’t think I’ll ever be able to put into words how much this experience has meant to me.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to do a lighting placement with the Royal Shakespeare Company on As You Like It, starring Jonathan Groff and Fisayo Akinade. Getting to work alongside Ryan Day and the lighting team, and being welcomed into the world of this production, has been such a special experience.

A huge thank you to Daniel Evans for bringing this production to life. I loved seeing his vision come together, and especially how Welsh culture was incorporated into the show. It was something that really stood out to me and made this version of As You Like It feel so special.

To the entire team and cast, thank you for being so welcoming, for answering my questions, sharing your knowledge and making me feel comfortable being there. I’ve loved getting to see everything that goes into making a professional production happen, and this experience has only made me more excited about where a future in theatre might take me.

Getting to experience Press Night and stand on stage with so many of the people who made this production what it is, is something I’ll never forget. 🩷

I’m leaving with so much more than I arrived with, and I’ll always be grateful to everyone who made this possible. Thank you, RSC. 🖤

#RSC #AsYouLikeIt #RoyalShakespeareCompany #Theatre #Lighting

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All the world’s a stage… ✨ We’re waiting for you in the Forest of Arden at @thersc 🌳🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

🎭: @daniel_gwyn_evans
📸: @marcsbrenner
🎶: @theo.jamieson

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“All the world’s a stage…” 🎭🌿

…and every stage deserves a little chocolate! 🍫💗

A little Forest of Arden magic, baked with love for the wonderful cast and crew of As You Like It at the RSC.

Today I’m off to see the lovely Jonathan Groff in the matinee performance! So excited to see the magic come to life on stage. ❤️🌹

#AsYouLikeIt #JonathanGroff #RSC #RoyalShakespeareCompany #FromGraciesKitchen

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Opening night at @thersc ✨ What a dream 🫶🏻

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As You Like It is the latest Shakespeare play to be revived by the RSC but is it worth the trek into the Forest of Arden?

The first 30 minutes, set in the court, promise a bold and modern take on Shakespeare’s comedy. Great special effects, plenty of action and an almost sinister atmosphere create a striking opening, while still keeping the comedy very much intact. There’s a real sense that this As You Like It is going to be something a little different.

Then comes the Forest of Arden. The set completely transforms into a vibrant, rolling green landscape and suddenly the production feels much more traditional. It’s beautiful but after such an exciting and inventive opening, the shift is slightly disappointing. The contrast perhaps intentionally mirrors the play itself: the restrictive world of the court gives way to the freedom of Arden, although some of the production’s early theatrical ambition gets left behind along with it.

What we’re left with is nevertheless a joyous, warm and comical production, with plenty of modern nods and references cleverly woven into Shakespeare’s text. The comedy is certainly enhanced by an all male cast that switch between characters and genders very effectively.

The main draw for me to review this show was undoubtedly the musical theatre star casting of Jonathan Groff as Rosalind. Groff brings real personality, charm and energy to the role and there’s plenty to enjoy in his performance. However given the amount of music in this production, I couldn’t help feeling that they missed an opportunity to utilise one of his greatest assets.

Don’t expect The Jonathan Groff Show either. This is very much an ensemble production, and the rest of the cast are more than capable of holding their own. In particular, Fisayo Akinade as Celia is a standout - delivering enough side-eye to communicate an entire Shakespearean soliloquy without saying a word.

So, should you make the trek into the Forest of Arden? Yes, and you might just end up falling in love.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Wonderfully theatrical, hilariously camp and romantic staging of As You Like it at @thersc in Stratford. Jonathan Groff, Fisayo Akinade, Elliott Barnes-Worrell, Greg Haiste, Richard McCabe, Gareth Snook, Tim Preston and the awesome Gary Wilmot shine in a superb cast.

Always nice to catch up with my coffee crawler buddies.

#Shakespeare #rsc #asyoulikeit #theatre #theatreprogramme

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Cmon the town. 28 NOV @orielcentredundalkgaol Tickets at link in bio or https://orielcentre.ie/events/niall-mcnamee-homecoming/

Delighted I’ve finally managed to get back to playing in Dundalk #monthetown #dundalk #irish #lilywhites @dundalkfc #singersongwriter

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Summer 2026 🌻

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A huge thank you to @ironmulefest for screening ‘On Fire for Jesus’ yesterday. Very sad I couldn’t make it (to New York).

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Looking forward to watching ‘On Fire for Jesus’ this evening at @kinoshortfilm. A short film that some very talented people and I made last year.

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The tough nut finally cracked. Feeling grateful x .
@thersc @the_globe @jamalafranklin @daniel_gwyn_evans

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Been waiting 14 years for this moment. Making my RSC debut with the man who introduced me to this company @elliotbwords

Directed by @daniel_gwyn_evans

26th Sept - 7th Nov

@thersc

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