The Merry Wives of Windsor

Described on Sunday, July 24, 2016 at 2 pm at Bard on the Beach, MainStage, 1695 Whyte Avenue, Vanier Park, Vancouver | 604-739-0559 | Map

Tickets are $29 for VocalEye users and the same price for up to one companion. (a limited number of $20 tickets are also available at all Bard performances). This performance will be followed by a Touch Tour. Please call 604-739-0559 to purchase tickets and reserve headsets.

VocalEye Members may reserve a Theatre Buddy at least 48 hours in advance by email or phone 604-364-5949.

Described by Ingrid Turk.


It’s 1968 in Windsor, Ontario and English ex-pat Sir John Falstaff is hunting for a solution to his money troubles. He sends an identical love letter to two wealthy housewives, hoping to seduce them – and enjoy their fortunes – with no clue that they are best friends! When they discover his scheme, these merry wives set Falstaff up for some hilariously sweet revenge.

Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Johnna Wright

CHARACTERS

Mistress Ford is a resident of Windsor, is married to Ford and best friend of Mistress Page.
Mistress Page is a resident of Windsor, is married to Page and best friend of Mistress Ford.
Falstaff is a knight, but he is also a scoundrel and occasionally a thief. (In Henry IV, Part I , he was a drinking buddy of the young Prince Henry.)
Ford is the very jealous husband of Mistress Ford.
Page is husband of Mistress Page and not the jealous type.
Sir Hugh Evans is the local clergyman who is often mocked for his Welsh accent.
Caius  is the local doctor and Mistress Quickly’s master.
Mistress Quickly is Caius’s servant and everyone’s messenger.
Host of the Garter Inn
Fenton is a suitor for Anne Page’s hand.
Slender is another suitor for Anne Page’s hand.
Simple is Slender’s servant.
Shallow is the local judge.
Bardolph is one of Falstaff’s men.

REVIEWS

“You know a show is working when you find yourself envying the actors who get to perform it. The cast of The Merry Wives of Windsor is having an infectiously good time.”  –The Georgia Straight

“Ashley Wright’s Falstaff is still hilariously self-assured. And the evening is still buoyed by an apt selection of songs from the era, including These Boots Are Made for Walking; Baby, Don’t Get Hooked on Me; and the Loretta Lynn classic Wine, Women and Song.”The Vancouver Sun

“In director Johnna Wright’s interpretation of the play, music is both the lynchpin and the highlight of the show – due to both Wright’s impeccable choice of 60’s country hits which intersperse the scenes and an offensively multitalented cast.”Vancouver Presents

“This is the perfect show for anyone new to Shakespeare, or even someone new to theatre. Timeless Shakespearean comedy, classic tunes, and a happy ending – what more could one ask for from an evening at Bard on the Beach?” Vancouver Theatre

SUPPORT MATERIALS

MERRY WIVES Cast and Creative Team (website)
MERRY WIVES – Plot Synopsis (Word doc)
Christopher’s Corner (video series)
Bard on the Beach (website)