THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
by William Shakespeare
PRODUCTIONS
Open-air Theatre
Martin Borley as Ford and Barry L Hillman as Falstaff
Thu 3 - Sat 12 August 1995 at 7.30pm (no performance Sunday)
Performed in the open air in the grounds of St Andrew's Hospital, Billing Road, Northampton
CAST & CREW
Sir John Falstaff Barry L Hillman
Mistress Page Michelle Tod
Mistress Ford Patricia Coleman
Page Duncan Eaton
Ford Martin Borley
Anne Page Tracey Burbage
Shallow John Hendy
Slender Brian Harrap
Caius Chris Hogg
Evans Paul Isaksen
Mistress Quickly Janice Shortland
John Rugby Julian Clewes
Peter Simple Min Kingston
Host of the Garter Inn Jem Clack
Bardolph Michael Green
Pistol Adam Young
Nym David Ufton
Fenton Neil Daly
Robin Joseph Lynch, Bobby Franks
John Richard Walker
Robert Vince Perry
Fairies Ellen Graham, Laura Gill, Olivia Thompson, Joe Manning
Director John Lott
Stage Manager Denise Swann
Assistant Stage Managers Greta Hendy, Fiona Chaney, Ann Bowen, Vince Perry
Properties Mindy Robinson
Prompt Emma Austin
Set Derek Banyard
Costume Designer Jane Roebuck
Costumes made by Jane Roebuck, Alison Dunmore, Jan Peters, Sheila Roebuck, Clare Brittain, Ann Stirland
Hats & Masks Joy Eason
Hair Elaine Geeson
Lighting Richard Walker
Sound Rachel Lawson
Graphic Designer Ian Stephens
Front of House Jan Stoppani
Original music composed and arranged by Tony Gosling
Publicity Denise Swann
Photo gallery
Get out and enjoy play with Flastaff and wives
Review by Ruth Supple
Northampton Chronicle & Echo, August 1995
Northampton Chronicle & Echo, August 1995
An open air production is always a risky business. But Masque Theatre could not have wished for better conditions for their outdoor version of Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Picturesque surroundings, in the grounds of St Andrew's Hospital, coupled with some fine acting made spending an evening in the company of Masque Theatre a pleasure.
The plot of The Merry Wives of Windsor is minimal: two women set out to humiliate the larger than life Sir John Falstaff.
He has insulted both women by writing identical love letters to each of them.
Legend has it that Queen Elizabeth I was so delighted with the character of Falstaff in the two Henry IV plays, that she instructed Shakespeare to write another play with him in the central role.
And Barry Hillman played Falstaff with a zest and enthusiasm that really brought the character to life.
He was ably supported in this central role by a large and talented cast.
John Hendy as Shallow, Chris Hogg as Caius, Barry L Hillman as Falstaff, Martin Borley as Ford, Michelle Tod as Mistress Page, Patrica Coleman as Mistress Ford and Duncan Eaton as Page
Janice Shortland as Mistress Quickly, Min Kingston as Peter Simple and Paul Isaksen as the very Welsh Evans gave particularly memorable performances.
It was also a special treat to have a guest appearance by the author and former Chronicle & Echo journalist Michael Green as Falstaff's henchman, Bardolph.
The performance of the play outside gave the final scene - which takes place in a wood at midnight - a special atmosphere which was underlined by clever lighting and use of music.
My only criticism of the production was that the first half was a little long. Even with Shakespeare there is even scope to cut the text without losing anything.