The Merry Wives of Windsor
1990

1af i 4ydd Awst
Cyfarwyddwyd gan Helen McCallum and Ian Wood

Why, then the world's mine oyster, which I with sword will open.

I think the devil will not have me damned, lest the oil that's in me should set hell on fire.

The story goes that Queen Elizabeth, having enjoyed the character of Falstaff in Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, demanded to see him in love. This play is Shakespeare's response. True or not, the story certainly captures Shakespeare's venture into broad comedy with one of his most amoral characters.

Cast

Sir John FalstaffBill Rowlinson
Followers of Falstaff:
BardolphTim Bull
PistolGraham Ellis
NymIan Beedham
Robin, Falstaff's pageEdward Long
Frank Ford, a citizen of WindsorRichard Carwardine
Mistress Alice FordLinda Kirk
George Page, a citizen of WindsorMick Mangan
Mistress Margaret PageGeorgina Ferry
Anne Page, their daughterFiona Fulton
William Page, their sonWilliam Long
Fenton, a young gentlemanWilliam McCaffrey
Shallow, a country justiceTed Ward
Abraham Slender, Shallow's nephewClive Burgess
Sir Hugh Evans, a Welsh parsonIan Wood
Doctor Caius, a French physicianDuncan McCallum
Mistress Quickly, Caius' housekeeperJane Coppola
The Host of the Garter InnMike Hall
John Rugby, Caius' servantJames Archer
Robert and John, Ford's servantsRichard Dyball, James Archer
BearMike Goddard
Schoolchildren, messengers, attendants, fairiesKatie McCallum, Mary McCallum, Rachael Mangan, Jane Clare, Peter Clare
Servants, burghers, fairies, orange-sellers, dancers, bear-baitersPauline Ward, Pat Tate, Edward Morris

Crew

ProductionHelen McCallum and Ian Wood
Stage DirectionHelen McCallum
Lighting David Long
Lighting AssistantMatthew Shaw
Best BoyEdward Morris
Original MusicRoland Clare
Musical DirectorAnne Coppola
MusiciansAnne Coppola, Linda Clare, Roland Clare
Sound John Chambers
Costumes byJulia Morrison, Maxine Chambers, Lynette Muir and the University of Sheffield Staff Dramatic Society
Properties and WardrobeJane Hall, Mary Goddard, Maxine Chambers
BannerConnie Bittner
Front of HouseJane Hall, Hilary Rowlinson
SetRobert Fitzmartin & Henry VIII