Shakespeare under the stars: The Merry Wives of Windsor brings love, laughter, and mischief to Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens
This summer, the Australian Shakespeare Company will present a fresh production of The Merry Wives of Windsor, transforming Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens into an enchanting outdoor stage. Running from 21 December 2024 to 25 January 2025, the production promises comedy, intrigue, and Shakespearean wit under the stars.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Botanic Gardens, the play follows the humorous exploits of Sir John Falstaff as he attempts to court two married women, Mistress Ford and Mistress Page. Unbeknownst to Falstaff, the quick-witted wives have devised a series of schemes to teach him a lesson, resulting in a cascade of pranks and plot twists that will delight audiences of all ages.
The Merry Wives of Windsor
Location: Royal Botanic Gardens, Southern Cross Lawn (enter through Observatory Gate on Birdwood Avenue)
Dates: 21 December 2024 – 25 January 2025
Time: 7:30pm
Tickets: $25–$110 (General Admission and A Reserve packages available)
Tickets are available via shakespeareaustralia.com.au, by calling 03 8676 7511, or through Ticketmaster.
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A fresh take on Shakespeare’s comedy
Glenn Elston OAM, founder and Artistic Director of the Australian Shakespeare Company, said the production offers a chance to rediscover one of Shakespeare’s lesser-known gems. “This fresh, new production of Shakespeare’s suburban comedy, The Merry Wives of Windsor, will offer audiences a wonderful opportunity to explore one of Shakespeare’s most delightful yet often overlooked comedies,” Elston said.
“Its clever humour and relatable themes of love and deception will resonate with audiences today. I’m thrilled to showcase the play’s wit and charm, reminding everyone why this comic gem deserves the spotlight.”
Stellar cast and creative direction
Under Elston’s direction, a talented ensemble cast will bring Shakespeare’s comedy to life:
- Peter Houghton as Sir John Falstaff
- Jackson McGovern as Frank Ford
- Elizabeth Brennan as Mistress Ford
- Luke Lennox as George Page
- Anna Burgess as Mistress Page
- Maddie Somers as Anne Page
- Natasha Herbert as Mistress Quickly
- Callum O’Malley as Fenton and Pistol
- Kevin Hopkins as Robert Shallow
- Alex Cooper as Abraham Slender
- Dion Mills as Sir Hugh Evans
- Tony Rives as Doctor Caius and Nym
- Hugh Sexton as Bardolph
About the Australian Shakespeare Company
The Australian Shakespeare Company is celebrated for its innovative and accessible productions in stunning locations, featuring some of the country’s finest actors. Since its beginnings in 1987 with The Wind in the Willows and Shakespeare Under the Stars, the company has become Australia’s largest independent theatre group. Its outdoor productions have become a beloved summer tradition for audiences across the country.
For more information, visit the Australian Shakespeare Company’s website at www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au.
