Elliot Page will be introducing a new all-trans and non-binary production of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It in London this summer.
The project is being helmed by the company Trans What You Will Theatre and Page will join live from New York to open the premiere of the show at the Space Theatre in London on July 24. This also happens to be the eve of London Trans+ Pride, 24 July 2026. The production will also be livestreamed to a global audience.
There will also be previews taking place on July 22 and 23, as well as a matinee exclusively for LGBTQ+ under-25s and youth groups across London.
As You Like It follows a girl named Rosalind as she escapes to the Forest Of Arden to flee persecution and disguises herself as a man, Ganymede. In disguise, she then tries to help her love interest Orlando ‘cure’ himself of his feelings for her, which he does not believe he can act on.
“Shakespeare wrote characters who defy easy categories long before we had language for it – and that feels as relevant now as it ever has,” said Page. “Trans What You Will is proving that these stories have always belonged to us, and I’m honored to support that work. Can’t wait to share this with an audience.”
As You Like It poster. Credit: Press
Director Phoebe Kemp, who is non-binary, added: “I am delighted to be back directing another of Shakespeare’s gendery plays for Trans What You Will! I am so excited to dive into all the queerness and gender exploration within As You Like It. The trans community is still facing worsening oppression worldwide, and the opportunity to counter that with joy is an honour. Can’t wait to share with you all what we create!”.
Kemp has also directed a production of Twelfth Night which will be staged in Barcelona on August 1 and will also be livestreamed.
Trans What You Will’s debut theatre production was performed in July 2025 and featured Ian McKellen undertaking a rehearsed reading of Twelfth Night. Over 2,300 tickets were sold, raising money for the trans charity Not A Phase.
Tickets for evening performances and the global livestream are now live, available on a sliding scale. Remaining matinee seats will be offered via a free lottery for under 25s, following priority allocation to LGBTQ+ youth organisations across London.
In other news, Page spoke last year about the “joy” of reuniting with Christopher Nolan on The Odyssey, and what it means to work with the actor as his authentic self.
He had previously worked with the director in the 2010 film Inception, ten years before he announced his transition.
“I was so excited to be thought of for [The Odyssey] and to be asked to come back to work with him,” he said (via Variety). “I loved working with him on Inception and loved being a part of that movie. I was just completely jazzed and excited, and [I] basically went and met with Chris and talked about the part, then sat in a room and read the script. It was such a joy to come back.”
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