By William Shakespeare
Directed by Christopher Luscombe
Imagining that Mistress Ford and Mistress Page have each fallen for him, the fat knight Sir John Falstaff decides to seduce them both, as much for their husbands’ money as for their personal charms. Wise to the old rogue’s tricks, the women turn the tables on him with a series of humiliating assignations and a very damp, extremely smelly laundry basket.
Gutsy, colloquial and bustling with vivid characters, Shakespeare’s hilarious and brilliantly constructed farce gave birth to a tradition that reaches down to the modern TV sitcom. Following its highly acclaimed, sell-out run at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in 2008, The Merry Wives of Windsor is the Globe’s first large-scale UK Tour.
Christopher Benjamin (The Family Reunion, Donmar; A Voyage Around My Father, Donmar and West End; Twelfth Night, UK Tour) plays the irresistibly lovable Falstaff. Serena Evans and Sarah Woodward join him as the merry wives. Serena Evans (Police Sergeant Patricia Darkins in The Thin Blue Line; Present Laughter, God of Carnage, UK Tours) plays Mistress Page . Sarah Woodward (Judgment Day, Almeida Theatre; Present Laughter, National Theatre)
plays Mistress Ford. Andrew Havill plays Ford.
“Christopher Luscombe’s production brims with humanity, ingenuity and irresistible charm. Serena Evans and Sarah Woodward make one of the funniest double acts I have ever seen on stage.” *****
Sunday Telegraph
“A wonderfully warm comedy, stuffed to bursting with belly laughs.” ****
The Times
Friends & Corporate Club:
Half price first night
Over 60s Special Price:
Bands A & B £10 mats only
Under 18s Special Price:
Bands A & B £10 all perfs
Schools:
Bands C & D £7 mats only
Group Rates:
Wed - Thur and mats click here for further information
Free post-show talk:
Wed 24 November