A modern take on a classic play is coming to Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan, previewing Thursday with the opening night on Saturday. In the original Shakespeare comedy As You Like It, a girl named Rosalind dresses up as a boy to disguise herself and talk to Orlando, the boy she is in love with. However, later on, her identity is revealed and the two get married.

This year’s new artistic director, Saskatoon born writer, actor, director, and musician Kayvon Koshkam, says in Jamie King’s version of the play, Rosalind teaches Orlando to love the person instead of the gender as she explores her gender fluidity. Jamie King is a Canadian theatre director and producer from Vancouver. Their practice has recently taken a focus on the development of new work that speaks to contemporary issues through a comedic lens.

Koshkam says he has been involved with ‘As You Like It’ several times throughout his career, and always thought the gender fluidity narrative has been there, and he is glad it’s being explored. Throughout the summer, two other productions will also be running – Romeo and Juliet, and The Dark Lady.