Theatre review: The Merry Wives of Windsor

07 Jun 2024

OVO’s Roman Theatre Festival is off to a flying start this year with a 1980s rock version of Shakespeare’s comedy, as Deborah Heath finds out…

Merry Wives is a marvellous comedy from the Bard with its funny and empowering roles for women. Director Adam Nichols explains its appeal further by likening it to a sitcom “largely written in prose and with its unusual focus on a group of middle-class characters”.

This makes it a crowd-pleasing script and indeed the audience, who were made of a real range of ages including children, roared with laughter throughout. With a sprinkling of OVO magic re-setting the action in a 1980s rock festival, complete with live band, Adam Nichols’ adaptation is cleverly executed to make the main themes and plot highly accessible for a modern audience.

Ageing rock star Falstaff was played with gusto by Alexander McMorran, and I was delighted to see established OVO leading ladies Emma Wright and Anna Macleod Franklin in the title roles.

It was a match made in heaven with this talented pair nailing the mischief and camraderie between mistresses Ford and Page. I couldn’t wait to see how the famous hiding Falstaff in the laundry basket scene would be presented and without giving anything away, Adam Nichols’ idea was a masterstroke.

Holding everything together was Savannah Beckford as meddling burger van manager Stella Quickly who worked directly with the audience, even involving some of them in the action.

This young actor had great power and I hope they will bring their talents to future OVO productions.

Design was a high point of this show. 1980s costumes were expertly sourced by Emma Lyth.

I particularly loved the array of dresses and quick changes for Alice Ford including an off the shoulder and a tiger print number. It really did transport me back to my childhood.

Simon Nicholas’ set design was superb with a central music stage bedecked with neon lights, a festival burger van to one side and a mini castle to the other.

However, a set alone cannot carry a production; it’s how it is used by the actors which sets an outstanding play apart rom a mediocre one. This is a great example of a full company working together – designer, directors (including associate director Kelly Anne Stewart), choreographer and actors.

One highlight for me was when forbidden lovers Anne Page and Quentin Fenton (played beautifully by Francesca Eldred and Thomas Fabian Parrish) sang a heartfelt ‘Alone’ as Ryan Munroe’s lively choreography had them hanging symmetrically off the music stage.

There is a special ‘Dirty Dancing’ tribute too which was genius on Munroe’s part.

I cannot finish this review without praise for the musical direction from Adam Morris.

His band of highly skilled actor musicians popped between the main stage and band tent in character showing equal skill in both disciplines. There were about 20 stonking tunes including a really fun medley featuring ‘Lady in Pink’ (not red), and ‘Careless Whisper’ during which the stage was enveloped in a pink glow.

I spent some time explaining to a family member the difference between a musical and a play with music. Well, in this production, OVO have given us a the perfect example of a play with music. Action is not sung, as it is in say ‘Legally Blonde’, rather this is a genre in which a well-established script is given a new realisation, punctuated with well-chosen songs that are played by the cast. A special kind of performer is required for this – those who are equally talented actors and instrumentalists.

Quite simply, the whole cast of Merry Wives fit the bill and shine with brilliance throughout.

This is a really exciting show in a beautiful location which makes me proud to be from St Albans. I urge you to get a ticket now before it is too late!

All photos by Elliott Franks.