This December, Melbourne Shakespeare Company return to the Rose Garden with a dazzling new musical reimagining of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, As You Like It! Get ready for a high-energy outdoor spectacle, bursting with pop hits, slapstick comedy, and show-stopping dance numbers that bring the Forest of Arden to life like never before.
Venue: The Rose Garden, St Kilda Botanical Gardens
Press Release
Melbourne
Following the sold-out success of Othello at fortyfivedownstairs, Melbourne Shakespeare Company brings its signature blend of wit, music and mischief outdoors for a sun-drenched, pop-fuelled reimagining of one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies: As You Like It.
Audiences can expect an enchanting new musical adaptation bursting with pop hits, slapstick shenanigans and more decadence than a Versailles tea party. When Rosalind gets kicked out of her uncle’s court, she escapes to the Forest of Arden with her cousin Ceila and discovers a world where love, laughter and liberation run wild. Cue mistaken identities, swooning lovers and a forest full of fools. Annabelle Tudor returns to Melbourne Shakespeare Company to direct As You Like It, bringing with her a rich background that spans the Melbourne and Australian Shakespeare Companies and the original Australian cast of Puffs. Having played Rosalind in Melbourne Shakespeare Company’s original 2020 production, Annabelle now steps behind the scenes to reimagine the play as a pastel fever dream inspired by Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette – a world where freedom meets restraint, and glitter meets grass stains.
“This enduring story celebrates so many elements of what it means to be human – women’s friendship, exploration of identity, philosophy and the transformative power of love. We explore these themes against the backdrop of a playful, high-camp world where freedom reigns, and so does Madonna.”
A queer celebration of individuality, identity and the joy of letting yourself run a little wild. Let them eat cake? Let us all eat cake. The cast features a glittering ensemble of Melbourne’s most exciting performers, including Kirby Lunn as Rosalind. Returning to Australia after a dazzling international career, Kirby’s credits span Legally Blonde, Hairspray, RENT, and Bubble Boy (Off-Broadway), as well as the North American touring company of Kinky Boots under original Broadway director Jerry Mitchell. She’s joined by Harley Dasey (Avenue Q, Universal Studios Japan) and Melbourne Theatre Company Alumni, Luisa Scrofani (In The Heights, My Brilliant Career, The Grinning Man), and Sonya Suares (Emilia, Melbourne Talam) alongside a vibrant supporting cast of Melbourne favourites.
This production is perfect for Shakespeare lovers and first-timers alike, a summer spectacle that invites audiences to pack a picnic, bring their people and revel in a night of romance, revelry and ridiculousness.
Reviews of past Melbourne Shakespeare Company productions:
● “a striking example of how to edit Shakespeare for the stage” – The Age
● “Shakespeare like you’ve never seen it before” – Aussie Theatre
● “exquisitely told and shouldn’t be missed” – Australian Arts Review
Book now at melbourneshakespeare.com and experience As You Like It… just as you like it.
Photographer: Nick Robertson
Venue: St Kilda Botanical Gardens
Dates: 5th of December – 21st of December 2025
Creatives
Producer Seamus Allan
Artistic Director Jennifer Sarah Dean
Director Annabelle Tudor
Assistant Director Emma Austin
Musical Director Tim Bland
Stage Manager Siena Bonnici
Marketing Coordinator Bridget Sweeney
Costume Designer Leah Fitzgerald-Quinn
Set Designer Ishan Vivekanantham
Cast
Rosalind Kirby Lunn
Orlando Harley Dasey
Celia Luisa Scrofani
Jaques Sonya Suares
Silvius / Charles Gareth Isaac
Corin Sebastian Li
Audrey / Le Beau Emma Austin
Duke Fredrick / Duke Senior Emma Woods
Oliver / Martext Corey Saylor-Brunskill
Phoebe Imogen Rabbitte
Adam Yuan Lu
Touchstone Jamie Garner
