Lost in Stratford

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s headquarters loom large by the river, surrounded by the dwarf architecture of the showcase upon Avon. The building itself is probably the ugliest theatre building in Europe (number one being the South Bank Centre in London).

Despite any aesthetic objections, tourists and theatre lovers invariably invade this deep countryside town to see whatever RSC production happens to be staged at the time. The 2006/07 season sees the biggest projest the RSC has ever undertaken – Complete Works Festival, to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. Part of the project is “Merry Wives: the musical”, based on “The Merry Wives of Windsor” – a spectacular show played to full houses, incorporating the play, top notch acting (led by Judi Dench and Simon Callow) and the best tricks musical theatre can offer.

For those unfamiliar with Shakespeare’s comedy here is the shortest possible synopsis.

Sir John Falstaff and his companions, Bardolph, Pistol and Nym, have been outraging Windsor society with their rowdy behaviour. Parson Evans, Justice Shallow and his nephew Slender – newly arrived from Gloucestershire – discuss what can be done about Falstaff.

Another hot topic is who will marry Anne Page, the daughter of a wealthy local family. Slender is one of the suitors and the one favoured by Anne’s father. Parson, Evans and Shallow engage Mistress Quickly to help; she is housekeeper to the French Dr Caius and a friend of Anne. Dr Caius, however, is himself a suitor – the favourite of Anne’s mother – and Quickly is already acting on his behalf. When Dr Caius hears of Evans’ interference, he challenges him to duel. Fenton, a young aristocrat, makes up the trio of hopeful suitors but both parents oppose him. The duel between Dr Caius and Parson Evans is averted when the host of the Gartner Inn plays a trick on them.

Being down on his luck, Sir John plans to restore his fortunes by seducing the wife of one of Windsor’s wealthy citizens. Convinced that Alice Ford is already attracted to him, he sends her a love letter and, for good measure, sends another, identical letter to Meg, George Page’s wife. Unfortunately for him, Meg and Alice are close friends and when they compare their letters they soon discover his double-dealing. They set about turning the tables on Sir John, employing Mistress Quickly as their go-between, summon him to Mistress Ford’s house.

When the two husbands hear of Falstaff’s intentions, Page dismisses the idea but Ford, who is jealous, immeadiately resolves to test his wife’s fidelity. Introducing himself to Falstaff as Master Brook he begs Sir John to woo Mistress Ford on his behalf. Gaining his confidence, he hears of Falstaff’s arrangements with Mistress Ford. Ford almost catches Sir John and his wife together on two ocassions.

In Windsor Great Park Falstaff receives his final punishment – and one of Anne Page’s suitors is successful.