Heidi Humphrys

ALL the world's a stage and one of Shakespeare's best-loved plays is coming to the Regent Theatre in Stoke next week before jetting across the Atlantic for a stateside tour.

Michael Siberry, who will be playing Touchstone the court jester in As You Like It, says audiences will enjoy this latest production of one of the Bard's more accessible plays.

As You Like It opens its UK tour in Stoke on Monday and also stars Rebecca Callard, from BBC's Sunburn and The Borrowers, and Rebecca Hall, who has recently appeared in Mrs Warren's Profession.

The play is a 'boy meets girl dressed up as boy'

comedy set in the Forest of Arden and it was the play which Shakespeare chose to open at the Globe Theatre in 1599.

Michael, who has just finished a summer stint in Bath, said: "Once we've toured the UK we will take the production to America in October.

"It's a love story set in a court run by a totalitarian regime and two ladies escape into the forest.

"As You Like It is one of the more accessible plays to follow and it always goes down well with the audience, which means we're all enjoying it."

Michael has a list of Shakespeare credits to his name and he says that because he's done so many in the past, he keeps getting asked to perform in new productions.

Michael said: "It's something that I keep being asked to do, which is great because I enjoy all of Shakespeare's plays.

"I'm playing Touchstone the jester but Shakepeare's clowns aren't renowned for being funny

"It's always challenging but very enjoyable and it's easy to sustain a high level of interest when you're touring different cities and playing to different audiences each night."

As You Like It will be on at The Regent Theatre in Stoke from Monday, September 8, until Saturday, September 13, and tickets are available by ringing the box office on 01782 213 800 or Ticketmaster on 0870 90 80 888 (24hr, booking fee).