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:

Joanna Matthews - 5 November 2012

You could call The Merry Wives of Windsor Shakespeare’s equivalent of Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead; take cameo characters from a tragedy and given them starring roles in a more light-hearted play. The rogue Falstaff and his gang of petty villains step out of the sombre courts of Henrys IV and V and into a light-hearted farce.

In his efforts to deceive the ‘merry wives’ and gain a fortune, Falstaff loses his companions, and meets his match in three women – Mistresses Ford, Page and Quickly – suffering mean physical indignities along the way. Meanwhile young Anne Page has to decide between three suitors, and a French Doctor and Welsh Reverend not only get laughed at because of their ‘silly’ accents but are tricked by the townspeople into making fools of themselves.

Added to this fast-paced romp are the tricks that the RSC have at their disposal. Beds, fully laden tables, and a telephone b...

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Latest User Review

cherry Mosteshar - 11 November 2012:

It really was a terrible production, lots of clutter, lots of views of what was happening off stage. The actors appeared to think that shaking your body when you walked and pulling funny faces is all there is to comedy. It all fell apart just when it was supposed to step up a gear. ...

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