Tony Award-winning Jonathan Groff makes his RSC debut as Rosalind in Shakespeare’s most sweet-natured comedy, where love is love – no matter where it falls.
‘If I were a woman…’
Tony Award-winning Jonathan Groff makes his RSC debut in Shakespeare’s most sweet-natured comedy, where love is love – no matter where it falls.
Rosalind is banished from the court of Duke Frederick – but not before she and young Orlando fall for each other. Seeking out her exiled father in the Forest of Arden with her devoted cousin, Celia, Rosalind disguises herself as a young man, Ganymede.
In fear of his own life, Orlando also escapes to the forest and soon runs into Ganymede, who pledges to cure his lovesickness. But in order to do so, Orlando has to woo her… or rather, he has to woo ‘him’. Then the games commence.
Daniel Evans directs an all-male cast, with Fisayo Akinade as Celia, in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
As You Like It is supported by RSC Production Circle Supporters Shriti Vadera and Richard and Minette Watson
Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Stratford-upon-Avon
26 Sep – 7 Nov 2026
Book Tickets Direct from the venue
Rosalind Jonathan Groff
Jonathan Groff is stepping into the role of Rosalind in a bold new staging of As You Like It, bringing his acclaimed stage presence to one of Shakespeare’s most beloved heroines. Best known for his Tony Award–winning performance in Merrily We Roll Along and his breakout role in Spring Awakening, Groff has built a career that spans Broadway, film, and television.
He has also gained wide recognition on screen for roles in Glee and as King George III in Hamilton, as well as for voicing Kristoff in Disney’s Frozen franchise. Known for his emotional transparency and vocal power, Groff’s casting as Rosalind, a character celebrated for wit, intelligence, and romantic daring, signals an inventive interpretation that is already generating significant buzz.
Celia Fisayo Akinade
Fisayo will play Celia opposite Jonathan Groff’s Rosalind in the new staging of As You Like It, bringing warmth and sharp comic timing to one of Shakespeare’s most loyal and spirited heroines.
Akinade is widely known for his breakout screen role in The Girl with All the Gifts and for his television work in Heartstopper. On stage, he has earned acclaim for performances with leading UK companies including the Royal Shakespeare Company, demonstrating a range that spans contemporary drama and classical theatre. His casting as Celia, Rosalind’s devoted cousin and confidante, adds further depth and chemistry to this fresh interpretation of Shakespeare’s pastoral comedy.
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