I've watched three NTL productions in the last few months, The Importance of Being Earnest, Hamlet and, only this past week, As You Like It. I've loved all three.
Oscar Wilde's wit in Earnest is obvious (and delightful) but I did wonder how, having enjoyed one of the Bard of Avon's best known tragedies, how I'd get on with one of his comedies. I hope to write a review soon about As You Like It but wanted to say that, though this happened for me comparatively late in life, I have developed a great appreciation for Shakespeare's command of language and his stories. (I disagree with his portrayal of Richard III but I do hope to see this play at some point and will just treat it as an entertaining yarn. Let's just say I like my roses white and would urge all with any interest in the Wars of the Roses to read Josephine Tey's The Daughter of Time).
I also like Shakespeare's portrayal of women with strong minds of their own. I really liked Rosalind and Cecilia. But what has impressed me is that, despite the Elizabethan English, the plays are easy to follow and those words which don't seem to make sense to modern ears (at least to mine anyway!) I can interpret in context and via the actions of the actors. My late mother would have been delighted I've finally taken an interest in Shakespeare, she had the collected works, though I maintain the Bard is meant to be watched or listened to rather than read. (The exception there obviously being his sonnets).