As You Like It @ Ordsall Hall

Pedalling from venue to venue with all of their set, props and costumes on the back of their bikes, the HandleBards are a four-strong troupe of actors who are spending the summer bringing environmentally sustainable Shakespeare to venues across the UK.

Join the troupe at Ordsall Hall for a fantastically funny bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’.

What’s the play about? Well - Rosalind and her cousin Celia flee to the Forest of Arden, where they bump into Rosalind’s love interest Orlando. However, Rosalind is disguised as a young man. Cue some local Shepherds getting involved and the stage is set for a wild ride of wooing, hilarious mistaken identity and the odd wrestling match.

This is an outdoor production, so please bring a chair or blanket to sit on, a picnic to dig into, and dress for the weather!

Praise for previous HandleBards performances…

★★★★★ - “Explodes with energy and is a genuine treat from start to finish.” - The Stage

★★★★★ - “Five stars just don’t seem enough…” - The Sunderland Echo

Accessibility

We're working with Extant and Enhance Facilitator Chris Campion to fully integrate visually impaired access with our 2026 tour of As You Like It. All performances will be accessible without the need for audio description or adapting the show, thanks to Extant’s tailored approach to integrating access, alongside a bespoke Touch Tour.

If you’ve ever been trying to open a stubborn picnic package mid-show you’ve almost certainly been able to tell the different between an epic swordfight and someone being hit with a bike wheel by sound alone. That’s exactly how we’re integrating accessibility, by being even more intentional with the audio elements of the show from the ground up - we won’t be changing Shakespeare’s text, and you can expect the same joyous HandleBards show.

‘Very descriptive and it allowed me to create a visual picture in my head.’

At Ordsall Hall, we’ll also be offering a Touch Tour before the show. The touch tour will be at 5:30pm and you can book your place on the tour alongside a ticket during check-out, or by emailing us at info@handlebards.com. We recommend arriving at the venue 15 minutes before the touch-tour.

Accompanying show notes and a digital programme can be downloaded here.

The notes encapsulate the visual aspects of the show and are written with access for visually impaired audiences at the core. The Touch Tour offers exploration of set, props and costume: offering an immersive space in which to imagine the work before the show begins.

Notes on Performance

• Doors open at 6pm, so bring a picnic and come and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
• Seating isn’t provided by the venue so please make sure to bring your own - chairs, picnics, blankets and any other low-backed accessories are welcome.
• In case of rain, please don't bring umbrellas as they block sight-lines for other audience members. Ponchos and raincoats are just as fetching, so please wear these instead.
• This is an outdoors performance and surfaces may be uneven, the site has flat paths for access and accessible toilets. The performance takes place on grass which is flat - if you have any access related questions ahead of the performance please get in touch!

Important Ticket Conditions – Please Read

• Tickets will also be available to purchase on the day at the venue for £21 each, subject to availability. If the show sells out in advance then tickets may not be available on the door so early booking is encouraged!
• You can bring your tickets digitally, on a phone or tablet, so save the trees and please don't print them.