The Merry Wives Of Windsor

20 - 25 June 2011
Royden Park, Frankby, Wirral CH48 1NP
'Shakespeare’s Sit-Com' is one of the funniest of his comedies, full of riotous characters and zany situations.

Recently arrived in Windsor, the loud-mouthed, overweight and arrogant knight Sir John Falstaff needs money, and he needs it fast! As he thinks he is God's gift to women, he is inspired to woo a wealthy woman away from her stiff - but rich - husband. But soon enough, he thinks to himself, "why only seduce one when two would be twice as much fun?"  And so he begins seducing two local women while padding his own pocket from their husband's fortunes at the same time.

What he doesn’t count on is the close friendship between the women, their penchant for pranks and his own disloyal servants. Mistress Ford and Mistress Page eventually compare love letters and realise they share the same lecherous love interest. Together, they scheme to teach Sir Falstaff a lesson in humility. Disguises and complications abound as love burns a hilarious path through the town, and the two women turn the tables on the corpulent carouser in a tale complete with manipulative messengers, secret scandals, jealous husbands and a final flurry of forgiveness in the Forest of Windsor.

Outdoor theatre is the most accessible and historical performance style and is a memorable way to spend a summer evening. Hillbark Players’ bi-annual
‘traditional’ Shakespearean presentations have both entranced and delighted Wirral audiences for over forty years. Following 2009’s hugely-acclaimed production of Macbeth, Hillbark returns to its comedy roots with this brilliantly constructed farce. Don’t miss it!