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Pedalling from venue to venue with all of their set, props and costumes on the back of their bikes, the HandleBards are a four-strong troupe of actors who are spending the summer bringing environmentally sustainable Shakespeare to venues across the UK.

Join the troupe for a fantastically funny bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’.

What’s the play about? Well – Rosalind and her cousin Celia flee to the Forest of Arden, where they bump into Rosalind’s love interest Orlando. However, Rosalind is disguised as a young man. Cue some local Shepherds getting involved and the stage is set for a wild ride of wooing, hilarious mistaken identity and the odd wrestling match.

Praise for previous HandleBards performances…

★★★★★ – “Explodes with energy and is a genuine treat from start to finish.” – The Stage

★★★★★ – “Five stars just don’t seem enough…” – The Sunderland Echo

Accessibility

We’re working with Extant and Enhance Facilitator Chris Campion to fully integrate visually impaired access with our 2026 tour of As You Like It. All performances will be accessible without the need for audio description or adapting the show, thanks to Extant’s tailored approach to integrating access, alongside a bespoke Touch Tour.

If you’ve ever been trying to open a stubborn picnic package mid-show you’ve almost certainly been able to tell the different between an epic swordfight and someone being hit with a bike wheel by sound alone. That’s exactly how we’re integrating accessibility, by being even more intentional with the audio elements of the show from the ground up – we won’t be changing Shakespeare’s text, and you can expect the same joyous HandleBards show.

‘Very descriptive and it allowed me to create a visual picture in my head.’

At Norwich Playhouse, we’ll also be offering a Touch Tour before the show. More information about how to book on to the touch tour can be found on the theatre’s website here. We recommend arriving at the venue 15 minutes before the touch-tour.

Accompanying show notes and a digital programme can be downloaded here.

The notes encapsulate the visual aspects of the show and are written with access for visually impaired audiences at the core. The Touch Tour offers exploration of set, props and costume: offering an immersive space in which to imagine the work before the show begins.

Notes on Performance

For outdoor performances: in case of rain, please don’t bring umbrellas as they block sight-lines for other audience members. Ponchos and raincoats are just as fetching, so please wear these instead.

For full ticket information and venue accessibility please see the venue’s website.

Description supplied by the event organiser.