Unsung Shakespeare comedy premiers at Guild Theater

The next production at the Northfield Arts Guild Theater is one of the least produced of William Shakespeare's plays.

"The Merry Wives of Windsor" was written in 1592 and published in 1602.

Strong whispers from historical accounts suggest that the comedy was written at the request of Queen Elizabeth I who asked Shakespeare to write a play showing Falstaff in love after watching the Bard's "Henry IV Part I."

Freelance director Michelle Schwantes said she's delighted to be able to bring the relatable, romantic and comedic story to summer audiences in Northfield. While traditionally, the Guild has produced a Shakespeare play outdoors in Memorial Park each summer, this August the show will be performed instead inside the Guild Theatre.

"Outdoor theater is wonderful when the weather cooperates," said Schwantes in a phone interview last week. "Bringing this play inside allows us to showcase the story without dogs barking or children squealing. The audience can connect with the text and the words on an intimate level without all the distractions."

Alisa Pritchett, who plays Mistress Alice Ford, agrees that this summer's audience will have a better opportunity to become immersed in the language and the word play in this show.

"By being so close to the characters they can be more easily drawn in by the intimacy of the performance space and will have a front row seat to the action," she said.

Class distinctions

Schwantes explained that the production is set at the height of British Imperialism in 1895, and focuses on middle class characters who work rather than on the Royals, who were the typical subjects in most of Shakespeare's plays. Instead, this script pokes fun at British class dynamics and status.

Adapting the production to the smaller dimensions of the Guild Theater provided the opportunity to use an "immersive" approach with the actors moving up and down the center aisle, in front and behind the audience, she said.

"Merry Wives is definitely one of Shakespeare's unsung plays," she said.

The cast includes Bryan Reed as Sir John Falstaff; Alisa Pritchett as Mistress Alice Ford; Tinka as Mistress Margaret Page; Carney Gray as Master Francis Ford; Kevin Chapman as Sir Hugh Evans; Andrew Anderson as Doctor Caius; and Peter Heckman as Robert Shallow.

Rounding out the cast are Lily Burrows as Mistress Quickly; Emily Churchill as Anne Page; Fletcher Churchill as Host of the Garter; Dominic Gill as Abraham Slender, Robin; Taylor Lee as Bardolph, Jack Rugby; Isaac Hunter as Fenton, Nym, 2nd Servant; Michael Mandsager as Master George Page; and Aspen Donkers as Pistol, Simple, 1st Servant, William.

Actor Bryan Reed, who plays Falstaff, said his rogue, questionably moral character, was motivated by easily gotten consumption, namely wine, food, love and money.

"But, it's hard not to like him, in a way, and the character was a favorite with audiences from the time he was first introduced," said Reed. "He genuinely loves life and the pursuit of living, he likes himself, believes in himself, pokes fun (insults) at himself as much as at others, and even seems to sort of enjoy the fact that he gets fooled in the end. We like to see him get what's coming to him, but just as much we want to enjoy watching him earn his comeuppance."

Reed added that the takeaway from Falstaff can be summed up in one of his last lines: "See now how wit may be made a Jack-a-Lent when 'tis upon ill-employment " A rough translation, he said would be even if you're smart, if you try to fool people out of something you may just end up making a fool of yourself.

Alisa Pritchett, who plays Mistress Alice Ford, said her character is motivated by excitement and something new and interesting in her life. "She is bored with her husband's jealousies and she gets a kick out of pulling his chain a bit," said Pritchett. "I love the line in the script where she asks 'How will I be revenged on him?' as she is very shocked by Falstaff's letter."

I don't think there is anything about her that I dislike, Pritchett added. "She has an interesting journey and she learns a great deal about herself as she is trying to handle the oversized ardor of her wooing knight Falstaff."

Tinka, who plays Mistress Margaret Page, said in an email that she likes that Mistress Page knows what she wants, takes life as it comes and knows that happiness is something she must create and embrace for herself. "I also like that she knows she has the right to her own perspective and to feel her anger," said Tinka. "If anyone gives her any nonsense, she gives it right back."

For audience members unfamiliar with the play, Schwantes said she invites those curious about the least produced Shakespeare comedy to check out what the Royal Shakespeare Company's website calls "an uproarious tale of mischief and double-dealing where the women get the last laugh."

"This show is a romp that we and the audience take together," said Tinka. "I hope you'll feel invited to laugh at our shared humanity, which we all often express through foolishness with a dash of awkward dignity and through wisdom wrapped in absurdity."