Merry Wives the musical

Nice work if you can get it

MERRY WIVES THE MUSICAL
Based on the play by William Shakespeare
Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon

I understand that The Merry Wives of Windsor is the only one of William Shakespeare’s plays which is not based on a previously well-known story. As such the plot is striking in that it eventually turns into a celebration of marriage and marital faithfulness and an exposure of the idiocy of loose living.

As a kind of middle-class comedy farce, the story almost sits up and begs to be given the stage musical treatment. This adaptation by Gregory Doran, with music by Paul Englishby and lyrics by Ranjit Bolt, runs until February 10. With lively choreography and chorus it kept me interested, but disappointed me at times with unnecessary use of swearing for comedy effect and some players who are fabulous actors but not such great shakes when it comes to their singing abilities.

But nevertheless, with Dame Judi Dench (pictured right), Simon Callow and arch impressionist Alistair McGowan in the cast, the tale of how the faithful wives of Windsor make a fool of lecherous Falstaff while at the same time improving the romance in their own marriages is worthwhile for anyone. And, in passing, can anyone enlighten me as to the identity of ‘the fat woman of Brentford’ who gets a few mentions in the final scenes?

John Benton

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Merry Wives the musical

Nice work if you can get it

John Benton

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