In late nineteenth century Japan, Duke Senior, his daughter Rosalind, her cousin Celia and the court are enjoying traditional Japanese entertainments when their comfortable world is turned upside down. Duke Frederick, the ruling Duke’s brother, bursts onto the scene and, with his army of samurai warriors, takes power by force. Duke Senior and his attendants are banished; Rosalind, for the meantime, is allowed to remain with her cousin.
Further fraternal conflict exists between Orlando and Oliver de Boys. Oliver, the elder brother, has kept their father’s inheritance for himself leaving Orlando furious. However, not content with disinheriting his brother, Oliver makes plans to do away with him altogether, setting him up in a wrestling match against a sumo champion. Fortunately, not only does Orlando triumph in the ring, he also succeeds in winning the love of Rosalind who sees his feat of bravery and strength.
Meanwhile, Duke Frederick’s anxiety for his daughter is growing as he sees Rosalind as a threat to Celia’s popularity at court. He shows his pitiless nature by banishing Rosalind; but Celia refuses to desert her cousin, and so the pair leave for the Forest of Arden in disguise. Soon after, Orlando discovers a further plot against his life and determines to leave court for the forest to escape his brother’s murderous schemes.
As the courtiers meet with shepherds, and each other, in the forest of Arden, there unfolds a series of mistaken identities, reunions and amorous encounters as the forest seemingly works its magic on all the runaways.
The action comes to a close in the time-honoured comedic tradition: thanks to Rosalind’s matchmaking, lovers are paired and married in a joyous celebration and the usurping Duke relinquishes his court and all his worldly possessions.
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