"As You Like It" is the fifth Shakespeare play to be presented this year in the National programme. This notable series, including The Taming of the Shrew, Othello, Henry V, and Hamlet, has proved immensely popular, and established Shakespeare as by far the most successful radio dramatist.

"As You Like It," his arcadian and untroubled comedy, probably written in 1599 and therefore belonging to the middle period, is being produced in a way that will emphasise the youthful, lyrical spirit of its conception. A young cast, with such accomplished modern comedy actors as Ronald Simpson and Jack Melford playing Orlando and Touchstone, should keep the humour fresh and flowing. The Rosalind of Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies will be beautifully spoken and originally conceived, as those who remember her Juliet and her Cordelia will expect. Douglas Ross, who made a powerful impression as the mad Swede in Marie Celeste, plays Jaques, and Felix Aylmer plays the banished Duke.

Contemporary music performed by members of the Dolmetsch family on contemporary instruments, a consort of viols, recorder and lute, will restore the musical element to its proper place within the play. Several traditional airs will be used, including Scotch Brawl, Half Hannikin, The Hunt is Up, Blow thy Horne, the setting of It was a Lover and his Lass from Morley's First Book of Airs; My Lady Zouche's Maske by Giles Farnaby, and a Pavan and Galliard by Dr. John Bull.