This summer, Australian Shakespeare Company will stage a brand-new production of The Merry Wives of Windsor at Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens.
With the city’s Botanic Gardens as a stunning backdrop, audiences will be treated to a unique theatre experience brimming with comedy, intrigue, and classic Shakespearean wit.
“This fresh, new produc1on of Shakespeare’s suburban comedy, The Merry Wives of Windsor, will offer audiences a wonderful opportunity to explore one of Shakespeare’s most delightful yet often overlooked comedies,” said Australian Shakespeare Company Artistic Director, Glenn Elston OAM.
“Its clever humour and relatable themes of love and deception will resonate with audiences today. I’m thrilled to showcase the play’s wit and charm, reminding everyone why this comic gem deserves the spotlight.”
In this merry romp, the audacious and delusional Sir John Falstaff attempts to woo two married women, Mistress Ford and Mistress Page, only to find himself ensnared in a clever scheme devised by the quick-witted wives. The result? A hilarious series of pranks and plot twists that will leave audiences in stitches.
With its timeless themes and laugh-out-loud mischief, The Merry Wives of Windsor promises an evening of unforgettable fun for all – whether you’re a Shakespeare enthusiast or experiencing the Bard’s work for the first time.
Under the direction of Glenn Elston OAM, an exceptional ensemble will bring humour and charm to this classic story including Peter Houghton as Sir John Falstaff, Jackson McGovern as Frank Ford, Elizabeth Brennan as Mistress Ford, Luke Lennox as George Page and Anna Burgess as Mistress Page.
Maddie Somers appears as Anne Page, while Natasha Herbert takes on the role of Mistress Quickly. Callum O’Malley plays Fenton and Pistol, Kevin Hopkins portrays Robert Shallow, Alex Cooper is Abraham Slender, Dion Mills brings Sir Hugh Evans to life, Tony Rives takes on both Doctor Caius and Nym, and Hugh Sexton rounds out the cast as Bardolph.
The Merry Wives of Windsor
Royal Botanic Gardens (Southern Cross Lawn), Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne
Season: 21 December 2024 – 25 January 2025
Information and Bookings: www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au
Image: Elizabeth Brennan and Anna Burgess star in The Merry Wives of Windsor – photo by Ben Fon