The Merry Wives of Windsor

The Merry Wives of Windsor needs no introduction, of course it is one of Shakespeare’s funniest comedies. Each year we await with eager anticipation Prankster’s annual Shakespeare feast in the stunning setting of Guildford Castle Grounds under the huge oak tree, and as ever we were in for a real treat. Director Jennifer Haynes always has the best ideas to make her productions fresh and captivating. This was the Pranksters’ 3rd version of Merry Wives, and this time it was set in the 1980s, so we were treated to some fine 80s music before the start and between scenes.

Great graphics were used to create a fabulously eye-catching programme, slim and compact but also with an interesting Director’s Note and cast photo. Lighting and sound were both very effective and there was a tremendous splash as Falstaff was tipped into the Thames!

One of Pranksters’ great strengths is their attention to detail when it comes to costumes. There were some marvellous ones here, it was a true feast for the eyes. The ladies in bright coloured, sometimes plain, sometimes patterned elegant dresses and in the case of the wives, wonderful hats. I was also fascinated by a pair of pretty purple shoes that went so well with Mistress Ford’s bright pink dress, large hat and chunky beads. A super outfit. The difference between the two husbands, the tense, jealous and angry Mr Ford and the relaxed, friendly, constantly amused Mr Page was echoed in their costumes: Ford always in a suit, Page in Florida-type colourful shirt, casual linen suit and Panama hat.

Deborah Shallow, the pushy aunt of the hapless Abraham Slender, looked wonderful in deep blue silky blouse with bow neckline, pretty veiled hat and Maggie Thatcher handbag. Poor Slender, the ill-suited reluctant suitor looked marvellous in maroon beret, olive green v-necked sweater that almost looked hand knitted, and a mac. The French Doctor always debonair, so elegant with black suit, bag and umbrella. Exact opposite of the wonderfully bewhiskered, pot-bellied Falstaff, in his baggy trousers, mustard woolly jacket and flat cap. Mistress Quickly looked fab in bright pink jogging suit with leopard-skin trim with matching leopard skin bumbag. Absolutely fabulous, congratulations to the ‘costume department’ (the Directors).

The play began with the wealthy Mistress Page arriving home from a shopping trip, laden with bags, and showing her lovely new acquisitions to the equally prosperous Mistress Ford and her own attractive daughter Anne. Later these two wives received their carbon-copy letters from Falstaff with his preposterous suggestion of an assignation. They plot cleverly and with delight to outwit him.  Good performances from Lexy Gold and Amy Carley as Mistress Ford and Mistress Page – they seemed to be having great fun plotting the scoundrel’s downfall. The contrast between their two husbands could not have been greater, the over-zealously jealous Ford (Alex Healy) and the relaxed, laugh-it-off Page (Brad Harris-Purtill), the former so icy cold, the latter so loving and warm. Great casting here, parts well-played by these two actors, more about Ford shortly.

The pretty Anne Page (Olivia Gorham), being an extremely good marriage prospect due to her father’s wealth, attracts many suitors.  She loves the gentle Fenton (Dean Brewer), but he is considered quite unsuitable. Another determined suitor is the French Dr Caius, efficient of stride, somewhat nonplussed and frustrated at all the strange goings-on, and played partly in French so well by J P Judson. (I was delighted to be able to follow the French, as I am sure were many others in the audience). This was novel, and refreshing, one of Jen Haynes great ideas. He was so frustrated at his poor employee John Rugby, (Jonathan Young), who was always sent off at the double on some errand or other, very funny. His housekeeper, Mistress Quickly, spent much time charging about running errands, being tipped, sometimes generously, sometimes not, by all and sundry, plotting and arranging. A great performance by Charlotte Lamb.

Another of Anne page’s suitors, a rather reluctant one, was Abraham Slender, persuaded into it by his very pushy aunt, Deborah Shallow J P.  This so elegant lady aimed to improve her family’s standing by marrying her nephew to the wealthy heiress, once again great characterisation by Debbie Lougher – we’d all hate to have an interfering aunt like this, even if it might lead to riches. Poor Abraham Slender! This part was made for Sam Gould, he was quite transformed as he played this terribly timid unlikely Lothario, tongue-tied and stammering with nerves. Marvellous! His employee, Peter Simple, found him quite frustrating, of course. Amy Scott, of the marvellous facial expressions and expressive gestures played both Simple and a servant of the Fords, that got slightly confusing, but she was always a lively presence on stage (or off, with her asides). Other servants Pistol (Sam Gould), Nym (Dean Brewer) and Robyn (Steph Bruce) were also very busy running errands for Falstaff, so there was a lot going on!

The Welsh Vicar, Hugh Evans, was a vibrant character, played the evening we attended really well by Stephen Liddle, who carefully considered his utterances before holding forth, and was flabbergasted to be attacked by Dr Caius.

Mike Cutchey made a fine Landlord of the Garter Inn, larger than life, always bearing a tankard, clad in pinstriped suit, scarf, leather gloves, watch chain, often a pipe, great fun to watch.

Master Ford, in his jealousy, having been tipped off about Falstaff’s approaches to his wife, disguised himself as ‘Brooke Bond’, in white tuxedo, black bow tie. A fantastic transformation, Alex Healy truly made the role his own – maybe he should apply for the real Bond role! His jealous rages were palpable, positively scary.

But what about Sir John Falstaff? If ever an actor was ideally suited to this role, it was Oliver Bruce. We knew this when we saw his name in the programme, but he exceeded my expectations, his performance was a tour de force, and he relished it. He was overconfident, he was unsure, but he never gave up hope that his charms would win through. The moment he was forced into the Windsor T. C. green waste bin, transported with great difficulty, and tipped into the Thames with that huge splash was hilarious, as was the moment in the woods when he was tormented by the ‘fairies’. A performance to remember.

Such fun, the whole evening. Great attention to small details, such great performances, so well directed as ever by the great team Haynes/Swift.  An absolute delight!

 

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