It’s a beautiful summer evening in Melbourne, and as you arrive on the freshly cut Southern Cross Lawn you will notice how the surrounding gardens are carefully curated with incredibly diverse plant collections, the grass has been meticulously mowed and as the sun sets you are provided with the most picturesque setting for fabulous food, friends and some truly delightful entertainment. Welcoming smiles are on the ushers faces as you arrive and are warmly escorted to your seats (A reserve) and as you sip on the cooling beverage of your choice that is happily handed to you, it is clear you are in for quite the treat. What a joyful start to an evening of splendour with the Australian Shakespeare Company’s The Merry Wives of Windsor. 

Once seated the vibrant set prepares you to be transported with a psychedelic affair of bright colours. It’s clear there’s the divide of the Ford and Page residences, with The Garter Inn centred and many doors for the players to make their entrances.  As the experienced cast of 16 then jolly onto the stage to tell us their tale, it is clear we’ve hit the 70’s – Shakespeare style. The excitement in the crowd rises.  We are introduced to all the characters and the story commences with enthusiasm as the audience expectations swing into the air. Speaking of swing, you might just want to hold on to your keys as this party jumps out of the fruit bowl and begins to boogie into the night!

If you don’t know much about the storyline of The Merry Wives of Windsor, it’s one of love and jealousy, marriage and friendship, with subplot, after subplot, after subplot.. you get the idea.  It’s a tangled web of ploys and plans, some of which get carried out and many that go wrong. All of this adds to a fabulous little package of comedy that this production presents with grand style and perfect execution.

Giving us the taste of true sisterhood, our take no nonsense dynamite duo Mistress Margaret Page (Anne Burgess) and Mistress Alice Ford (Elizabeth Brennan) are the well to do wives who pair up and plot their revenge together after receiving unwanted affections from Sir John Falstaff (Peter Houghton). Falstaff who is short of cash, sends his page Robin (Claire Duncan) to deliver identical letters of romance to each woman in hopes that he will be able to make wealthy gains from them.  His scheming seductions fall short however, as the husbands Frank Ford (Jackson McGovern) and George Page (Luke Lennox) discover his plan.  Full of jealousy, Ford decides to take matters into his own hands, whilst Page is busy trying to persuade his daughter Anne (Madde Somers) to marry the man of his choosing. Justice Robert Shallow (Kevin Hopkins) has just brought his nephew the wealthy Abraham Slender (Alex Cooper) to town, and Page believes he is the correct match for Anne.  In agreement with Page, Sir Hugh Evans the local school master (Dion Mills) arranges the local matchmaker Mistress Quickly (Tash Herbert) to have Anne and Slender meet, but as a messenger to all, Quickly will do anything to fill her bra with crisp dollar bills! Unfortunately Slender is quite the fool and whilst he is Page’s pick his wife however has other ideas and is trying to betroth Anne to Doctor Caius (Tony Rive). Anne is herself all eyes only for the poor Fenton (Callum O’Malley) with his speedy wheels and slick disco dancing moves!  As it was not the era where you could text or snap someone instantly, many mixed messages are delivered right across this play, through multiple characters including Falstaff’s comrade Bardolph (Hugh Sexton) and Slender’s servant Peter Simple (Scott Middleton) who add to this chaotic storyline of payback, sarcasm, irony, and sexual innuendos – all topped with a singing Nun! (Larissa Teale)

This production of The Merry Wives of Windsor is truly a delight. Director Glenn Elston OAM has created something spectacular to witness this summer and like a packet of Tim Tams that never runs out, this show is a gift that keeps on giving.  There is amusement in the cheeky dances, playing with words, props, facial expressions, choice of music, timing of lights and even in the clever costuming.  There’s hilarity in it all and never a dull moment.  Peter Houghton creates a untoward hero out of Sir John Falstaff, where it’s one of those things you don’t want to look at but you can’t help yourself!  His performance is mesmerising.  With all his sly and slimy, you cheer on the merry wives Burgess and Brennan who are both gorgeously captivating on stage.  Glamour plus and matchy matchy in outfits with her daughter, Anne Burgess has you believing every moment she experiences in their relationship after all, what mother doesn’t want the best for their daughter? But on the flip side, what daughter listens to their mum? Burgess highlights this connection with a natural flair, and adds to the relatable love of a family unit led by Luke Lennox playing Page.  Poised and confident, Lennox’s portrayal is cool, calm and collected amongst the fluttery and kerfuffle around him, and when he throws down a drink or two, as an audience member you do too! In a complete contrast Jackson McGovern plays a highly energetic and paranoid Frank Ford in a magnetic performance where you follow every step like a cat entranced by a darting laser light. His wife, brought to life with intelligent characterisation by Elizabeth Brennan is playful in nature as she relishes in executing her pranks on Falstaff.  Alex Cooper’s portrayal of Slender is also a stand out, the audience enjoying every moment he takes to the stage delivering what can only be described as comedic stupidity. His scenes are just so funny! Collectively, the entire acting troupe has made for a smash hit and they work together wonderfully with clever timing and fabulous energy.  There’s moments of maniacal humour and frenzied entertainment, and you will walk away feeling the need to disco dance into the night.

The Merry Wives of Windsor is an outstanding show, and was a fabulous introduction to Shakespeare for my young daughters who enjoyed the vibrant husbands’ portrayals, the funny trash bin workers, the characterisation of Mistress Quickly and the beauty held by the wives the most. 

The Australian Shakespeare Company has delivered an exceptional theatre experience here with fun for the whole family, everyone being able to enjoy a thrilling evening that is an absolute blast!

The Merry Wives of Windsor is performing as part of Shakespeare Under the Stars at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Southern Cross Lawn until the 25th of January.