THE
MERRY WIVES
OF WINDSOR

Top Dog Theatre returns to Mona Vale in February for the 2008 Summer Open Air Shakespeare Festival.

The Merry Wives of Windsor runs 14th Feb to 2nd March 2008
Performances only on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 6pm and on Sundays at 2pm.


Continuing the tradition of bringing Shakespeare alive and accessible in the open air, Top Dog Theatre returns with a fine evening of Shakespearean entertainment and comedy.

The Merry Wives of Windsor is a comedy by William Shakespeare featuring the fat knight Sir John Falstaff and is Shakespeare's only play to deal exclusively with contemporary English life.

It is strongly rumoured that Shakespeare was commanded to write the play by Queen Elizabeth I, who wanted to see her favourite theatrical character, Falstaff, in love.

The story starts after Falstaff arrives in Windsor very short on money and decides to obtain financial advantage, through courting two wealthy married women, Mistress Ford and Mistress Page. The knight sends the women identical love letters, not realising they are friends and will therefore reveal all to each other. In revealing his plan, the merry wives exclaim, “How shall we be revenged on him?” ­ And revenged they will be, and do…

Their amusement in seeking to humiliate Falstaff sets off a string of hilarious pranks, ranging from linen baskets, to dressing Falstaff up as an old lady, to leading him into a forest at the dead of night, dressed as a hunter, compete with horns on his head. And much, much more.

Add in a French Doctor, a Welsh Parson and a Yorkshire maid, and the scene is set for an evening of absolute comedy and hilarity.

Toilets and refreshments on site. Sit on a picnic blanket, (at the front) or low/high chair (seating is segregated for audience viewing) and remember to bring plenty of warm clothing.


Mona Vale Gardens, Christchurch

Court Theatre Box Office : 963 0870

Ticket Price: $12