All the world's a stage | As You Like It | Act 2 Scene 7 | Shakespeare's Globe

Sophie Stone performs Jaques' iconic speech from Act II, scene 7 of As You Like It.

#AsYouLikeIt #shakespearesglobe

All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms;
And then the whining school-boy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress’ eyebrow. Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon’s mouth. And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lin’d,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slipper’d pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side;
His youthful hose, well sav’d, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion;
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

[romeonetwork]

I didn't think I was going to like a woman playing Jaques, but this performance moved me to tears. How incredible!

[salishseaquest]

As many times as I have seen this 'speech' performed, this is the best interpretation of the '7 stages' EVER!
Perfect! Thank you, Sophie Stone!!

[Hyfun]

Magnetic actress, mesmerising and magical performance. Made me fall in love with this speech.

[thefilmwatcher]

This is such an engaging performance. She's a really good actress.

[naghma]

this is literally the sixth time i've watched this. I'm not a great fan of poetry but their acting was so good i was literally mesmerized.

[VickyGoss]

An incredible performance of this classic! It captivated me in that not only did I hang on each word, I was drawn to each visual sign through the magnificent use of sign language.

[dbinzen]

Wow loved this performance and the whole play. I saw it 10 days ago - my first play as a groundling. I do really hope this will come to the Globe Player in due time. *fingerscrossed*

[gailbailey]

Outstanding performance. I held my breath in anticipation of her every word and movement!

[Steveintheandes]

utterly mesmerising - I adore this play, and that speech is one of Shakespeare's most beautiful; but you gave it a new, profound poignancy. I cried.

[KTalley-unjn]

A teacher played this in class for us over 3 years ago, and I have never forgotten it. This is one of my favorite recitations.

[paulhuck]

Damn. Straight up chills with the perfection of the sign to the language.

[g_sawree]

How gracefully she explained the poem.❤

[NRajDrawing]

I don't know how many times i watch this... Because, it inspired me

[sundareshvenugopal]

There is always only one show, and it is called, "Name your price". This is true of every person in every area, and in every field and in every sphere.

Every person always has a price, at which he will sell out any worthy ideals, principles or values he may have, and it is never much.

But the show does get bigger.

In a Democracy the vast majority of dumb people sell their vote to a politician often for as little as an empty promise, or just a word which is never worth anything, or maybe a bottle of liquor, and in turn the politican fills his own coffers and sells the enitre district or county, state, nation, country, continent, world, universe, multiverse, out to some unscrupulous businessman.

[theoak]

When you listen with your ears, eyes and heart to the Bards words you know that he was a lover and observer of the human life. An understander if you will of the difficulties and joy's of the persona.
Thank you Sir for your obsevations and imagination.
I look forward to day that i get to witness to the actors trotting the boards at The Globe.

[lifecycleproject]

Quite extraordinary ! Breathes new life into an old classic.

[marilynsitaker]

Bravo, Sophie Stone. You touched my heart.

[BoldBooksandBones]

That was powerful and beautiful! What an increadible actrice. Thank you for sharing.

[gianlucarovelli]

Outstanding performance. I'm breathless.

[albertus]

Moving and eye-opening
Thanks heartily.