The Merry Wives of Windsor

Synopsis

Falstaff gets him come-uppance (three times) in this rather confused but at times immensely funny Shakespeare comedy - his only one about the middle classes. The story, almost certainly false, goes that Queen Elizabeth I so enjoyed the character of Falstaff that she asked to see him again in another play - in love. Shakespeare is supposed to have obliged with this delightful romp.

Our Review:

18 June 2003

What is about the post-war decade that fascinates directors of this play? This is the third version that I've seen set in this period and there is nothing in the text that strikes me that it is a good fit. For a start, the swordfight between Caius and Sir Hugh is hard to explain and not many citizens in the 50s would talk about fairies.

It's true that Falstaff and his followers have come home from the war with little to do but lounge about and drink too much - but the same could be said about the 20s and I've yet to see a jazz age version of the play with Anne as a flapper and Fenton as a lounge lizard.

But whatever period the play is set in, there is a simple precept to follow: it must be funny. Rachel Kavanaugh's production fails to follow that simple rule. I've seldom heard so little laughter in a production of this play, particularly the first half which was received in near stony silence.

Part of the problem is with Richard Cordery's Falstaff. His name is ...

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Latest User Review

USER: Whatsonstage.com (212.137.57.25) - 1 August 2003:

Really enjoyed it. Very funny - audience laughed all the way through. Lovely stage, lighting - atmospheric. Great cast. I think the WOS reviewer must have gone to a different production....

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