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| Dates | Location |
| Tue 29th June – Thu 1st July | Birmingham Botanical Gardens at 7.45pm Tickets: £9.00 in advance (£11.00 on the night) |
| Sat 3rd – Sun 4th July | Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens Sat at 7pm, Sun at 3pm Tickets: £8.00 (No concessions) |
| Tue 6th – Wed 7th July | St Nicolas Place, Kings Norton at 7.45pm Tickets £12.00. Refreshments available. |
| Sat 10th July | Hall's Croft,
Stratford-upon-Avon at 7pm Tickets: £10 (Concessions £5) |
| Sat 17th – Sun 18th July | Harvington Hall, Nr. Kidderminster Sat at 7pm, Sun at 3pm Tickets: £12 (Concessions £8.50) |
The Crescent Theatre Touring Company presents
Sir John Falstaff and The Merry Wives of Windsor
June and July 2010 (see table right)
I do begin to perceive I am made an ass
Down on his luck, Sir John plans to restore his fortunes by seducing the wife of one of Windsor's wealthy citizens. Unfortunately for him, his plan is discovered and the tables are turned in Shakespeare’s riotous English domestic comedy. Meanwhile, Anne Page has three suitors, but which one will she marry?
It seems everyone has different plans for her.
Please bring your own seats (except for St Nicolas Place).
A Review by Paul MarstonOh, what a giggle in the gardens as this talented company began their summer tour with Shakespeare's naughty domestic comedy. The story of how down-on-his-luck Sir John Falstaff plans to restore his fortunes by seducing the wife of one of Windsor's wealthy citizens is the ideal vehicle for this trip. Thankfully there was no rain to mar the launch of this openair event at which the audience enjoyed picnics with food and wine while a variety of wildlife - particularly the screeching peacocks - joined in the fun. Vincent Clarke is in sparkling form as the portly Falstaff who escapes an angry husband on one occasion in a basket full of filthy laundry, then, on another uncompleted mission, dressed as a woman. His scheme to seduce Mistress Alice Ford is scuppered by the cunning of the attractive woman, well played by Sonia Bethell, and her friend Mistress Meg Page (Debbie McEwan). Terrific performance, too, from Colin Simmonds as the threatened husband, Francis Ford, and there are outstanding contributions from Pat Dixon (Mistress Quickly), Patrick Bentley (Dr Caius), John Whittell (Sir Hugh Evans), Paul Brotherton (Master Abraham Slender) and Ivor Williams (Master Robert Swallow). As the sun began to set and was replaced by a chill breeze, some members of the audience used the interval to fetch their car rugs, but the action of the play, directed by Robert Ball, left a warm glow. VERDICT: * * * * |
Scenes from the play
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