CBeebies to Adapt Shakespeare’s As You Like It

BBC Children’s has partnered with Shakespeare’s Globe to adapt the famous comedy As You Like It for preschoolers and their families across the U.K.

CBeebies’ Steven Kynman (Robert the Robot) will star as Shakespeare himself, with an aim to convince modern-day viewers of the value of theater. The play’s characters, such as Rosalind, will be played by other popular CBeebies stars.

The adapted play will be performed live at the Globe on August 9 and 10, 2022, and the show will air on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer over Easter 2023.

As You Like It joins a list of other titles brought to life by CBeebies, including The Tempest, Midsummer’s Night Dream and Romeo and Juliet. The As You Like It adaptation is made by BBC Kids & Family Productions.

Patricia Hidalgo, director of BBC Children’s and Education, said: “We’re thrilled to join with such an iconic British institution as Shakespeare’s Globe to bring the work of Shakespeare to life. Making the arts accessible to our young audiences is something we are deeply passionate about, so I’m delighted that through CBeebies, families will be able to enjoy the live experience of Shakespeare at the Globe from the comfort of their homes.”