The Company Photo courtesy of Duke City Repertory Theatre

Under the inspired founder and Artistic Director Amelia Ampuero and a regular company of creative artists, Duke City Rep has been making a name for itself since 2010. They presented their first Bard Crawl in 2017 and this year bring As You Like It to eleven venues across Albuquerque this month. These include nine breweries, and, this year for the first time, the Albuquerque Museum and the Albuquerque Biological Park's Botanic Garden.

One of the Bard's most raucous comedies, As You Like It is well suited for a free-for-all performance in a bar. Audience rules are pretty simple: enjoy yourself; get up and go to the bar or the restroom; get up and go home if you must. The play had only one full rehearsal before it began touring, so the actors are provided with a prompter–just as in Shakespeare's time. When an actor requests, "line," the audience applauds and takes a drink. The performance I attended, in the middle of the run, had fewer than ten requests for lines, and when actors verbally tripped over each other, clever banter and improvisation with the audience ensued.

In the 1970s and 1980s, participatory theatre was very much in vogue. Today, various companies are experimenting with interactive, site based, and immersive theatre. Educational theatre companies continue to use these techniques to reach young audiences. It is a time-honored tradition dating back to commedia dell'arte and, yes, Shakespeare. In these times of sky-rocketing costs and ticket prices, using available spaces and going where the audience already is, seems prudent. There are no tickets for Bard Crawl; the company asks that you pay what you think the performance was worth as they pass the hat at the conclusion of the show.

Bard Crawl: As You Like It invites audiences into the whimsical forest where themes of love, identity, and the pursuit of happiness weave together to create a tapestry of human experience. With no set and minimal costume pieces and props, the company succeeds in taking everyone on this journey. The acting is on several levels, but most of the performers handle the language of the Bard very well. Danielle Simone was particularly effective as Rosaline. Caro Toby Graham handled the double roles of Silvius and Audrey with the expertise of a veteran theatre quick-change artist.

Six of the actors are double cast and the casting is inclusive. The company reflects the community of Albuquerque well and this was reflected in the make-up of the audience at my performance. Too often audiences for theatre are primarily older people. Here, the diverse audience included all ages and identifications and even a couple of dogs. Smartphones, appetites, and cat calls are all welcome and contribute to the festive atmosphere.

This is a fun evening and an excellent way to learn to love Shakespeare. I encourage you to go.

Bard Crawl: As You Like It runs through May 2024 at various venues and times in the Albuquerque area. No tickets. Pay what you think it was worth, suggested $15. For information, please visit www.dukecityrep.com or call 505-797-7081.

Cast: Danielle Simone as Rosalind, Amelia Ampuero as Celia, Evening Star Barron as Orlando, Josh Browner as Touchstone, Andy Gustke as Adam, Kane Distler as Orlando, Jeff Andersen as Charles and Jaques, Stafford Douglas as Duke Frederick and Duke Senior, Mikie Beatty as Le Beau and Amiens, Caro Toby Graham as Silvius and Audrey, Joanna Furgal as Corin and Phebe, Noe Field-Perkins as William and Jaques De Boys.