Elliot Page opens “As You Like It” in London in July – Shakespeare’s classic will be cast exclusively with trans and nonbinary actors. Tickets and live stream available.
Actor Elliot Page will open the adaptation of Shakespeare’s As You Like It in London. The play should only be cast with trans and nonbinary actors.
The project is led by Trans What You Will Theater. Page will be in London at the Space Theater at the premiere on July 24 to lead the introduction. The entire production will also be shown via livestream.
What is “As You Like It” about?
Shakespeare’s play “As You Like It” is about a girl named Rosalind who flees to the forest of Arden to find her expelled father. To escape, she disguises herself as a man and gives herself the name Ganymede. In the forest she meets Orlando, who is in love with her – without realizing that it is Rosalind because of her disguise. She tries to help Orlando understand his love through role-playing, and the two fall even deeper in love. Towards the end she reveals herself as Rosalind – or rather explains that she can bring Rosalind into the forest using magic.
The play, written by Shakespeare in the 16th century, already deals with gender identities and same-sex relationship dynamics.
Elliot Page on the piece
Elliot Page also comments on the play: “Shakespeare created characters that defy easy categorization long before we even had terms for them – and that is as relevant today as ever.”
“‘Trans What You Will’ proves that these stories have always been with us, and it’s an honor to support this project. I can’t wait to share this with audiences.”
The actor, known for films like “Juno,” “X-Men” and “Inception,” is himself transgender. He uses his platform to make discrimination and violence against the trans community visible.
Trans rights in Britain
The new play is due to be performed in London in July and will do just that. The rights of trans people in Great Britain have recently been significantly restricted. A 2025 court order bans trans people from using public restrooms based on the gender they identify with and forces them to use the restrooms of their biological gender.
Direction
The play is directed by Phoebe Kemp, also nonbinary. Kemp says: “I’m thrilled to be directing one of Shakespeare’s gender-bending plays again for Trans What You Will! I’m really excited to explore all the queer aspects and exploration of gender roles in As You Like It. The trans community continues to face increasing oppression around the world, and I am honored to have the opportunity to joyfully address this. I can’t wait to show you all what we’ve got going on!”
Kemp previously directed the production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, which is also a production of Trans What You Will. The piece premiered in Barcelona in July 2025, with ticket proceeds going to the trans charity Not A Phase.
Tickets and dates
The play premieres July 24 at The Space Theater; Previews are possible on July 22nd and 23rd. Tickets for performances of “As You Like It” are available now. The open places will be awarded in a free raffle for people under 25, primarily through LGBTQ+ youth organizations.
