Play of the week: As You Like It, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

Alex Waldman (Orlando) and Pippa Nixon (Rosalind) in As You Like It (Keith Pattison)

Despite a sombre beginning, Maria Aberg's production establishes itself as the most joyous – and truly ensemble – take on this lovely but tricky comedy in more than 20 years.

There's a terrific generosity of spirit to the gender-bending and disciplined anarchy here. The hot folk singer-songwriter Laura Marling's score hauntingly embellishes the play's songs.

Oliver Ryan gives a very funny take on Jaques, while Pippa Nixon and Alex Waldmann bring home how Rosalind/Ganymede and Orlando are as heaving with hormones as a field is humming with pollen in high summer. Warmly recommended.

0844 800 1110; rsc.org.uk to 28 September