A comedy about everyday people is Lichfield’s Shakespeare in the Park offering this month.
The Merry Wives of Windsor is one of the Bard’s best-loved comedies featuring the ‘Fat Knight’ Sir John Falstaff.
Shakespeare in the Park (SITP) Director David Stonehouse:
“From an acting point of view this is a great play for older actors. Most of the comedies centre on young lovers while the older generation take a back seat but not so here. This play is rich in older characters, Falstaff himself, Justice Swallow, Mistress Quickly, the Fords and the Pages all offer opportunities to older thesps that are few and far between in other plays.
“Character actors also have plenty to get their teeth into with comedy French and Welsh men and the marvellous Mistress Quickly with her malapropisms decades before Mrs Malaprop was even thought of.”
Falstaff arrives in Windsor short of money and plans to get some by courting two wealthy married women, Mistress Ford and Mistress Page. He decides to send the women identical letters, but they find out – with hilarious consequences.
SITP chairman Oliver Rowe said:
“Shakespeare in the Park offers all theatre goers and Shakespeare lovers alike the ideal opportunity to see many of his comedic plays in the outdoor, natural theatre environment at Maple Hayes. This year’s production is one of the excellent comedies featuring Shakespeare’s legendary character of Falstaff, played by Lichfield’s very own Town Crier – Ken Knowles.
“This production, the company’s 29th, features a highly talented cast of local performers and guarantees not to disappoint.”
The Merry Wives of Windsor runs from June 22 to 25, with a matinee performance on the Saturday. The Lichfield Garrick is acting as ticket agent for this year’s production. Book your tickets by calling 01543 412121 or visiting www.lichfieldgarrick.com. Performances are in the Glade at Maple Hayes, off Abnalls Lane, Lichfield.
