It was a perfect evening for the inaugural performance at the Said Business School's open-air amphitheatre; the breeze was blissful, and the sun had kindly warmed the stone seating. The play was perfectly matched to the tree-bedecked venue, since As You Like It is set mostly in the Forest of Arden.

Saturday's performance was an absolute hoot, very imaginatively and humorously directed by Tom Littler. The company had been performing earlier in the week at Christ Church but, with the adaptability of youth, they were not daunted by the sudden change to a stage that was very different in shape. With verve and assurance, the cast charmingly told this sweet tale of lovers of all shapes and classes throwing off the restraints of court life under the spell of the magical forest of Arden.

The famous breeches part of Rosalind was charmingly played by Heather Oliver, who spoke the verse particularly well. Her best friend and cousin Celia was given greater depth by Clare Palmer than is sometimes the case with this part. She really made the role shine. The handsome Jack Hawkins was the romantic lead Orlando and he was much more than a pretty face a very satisfying performance. The funniest turns of the evening for me in a generally hilarious production were Rose Heiney as the sluttish Audrey, and Matthew Truman as the bucolic Corin their comedy was as broad as it was brilliant.

A special treat in this production was the music. A super group of cello, flutes and percussion was enhanced by a some excellent singing, including a great counter-tenor rendition of Under the Greenwood Tree. There was also a fabulous group of madrigal singers, and a guitar and singer duo. In all a very musical As You Like It and all the better for that.