The Merry Wives of Windsor

William Shakespeare

The Merry Wives of Windsor

Drama

Classical Shakespearean comedy about the philandering knight Falstaff

The new SND building, Drama hall
15. 3. 2024 19:00 h - 22:00 h

Shakespeare is said to have wri t ten this comedy at the direct request of Queen Elisabeth, who wished to see the stout knight Falstaff, a minor character from Henry IV and Henry V, cast in the comical role of a befooled Don Juan.In a comedy that weaves together several storylines, Sir John Falstaff rose from being minor to main character. This is cer tainly no ordinary career in the history of theatre. The lovable adventurer and tavern idler, who has lost favour with the King, comes up with an incredible plan – to cour t two honest townswomen of Windsor, Mistress Ford and Mistress Page, at the same time, in order to seize the money of their fairly wealthy husbands. Besides overestimating his looks and underestimating his age, the vain Falstaff faces another slight problem – his plans are quickly discovered by both women, and even their husbands. The ladies want rightly to take revenge on Falstaff, and so – for appearance’s sake – both accept his offer. The womanising Falstaff falls into their trap over and over again, but in the last moment manages to escape the clutches of the jealous husband, who always only makes a fool of himself.

Running time: 3 hrs with one interval

Première October 28, 2017, at the historical building of the Slovak National Theatre
 
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Production Team

Translated by Ľubomír Feldek
Direction by Peter Mikulík
Dramaturgy Peter Kováč
Stage design Jozef Ciller
Choreography Assistance Stanislava Vlčeková

Cast

Knight John Falstaff Branislav Bystriansky
Robin, his page Oliver Hlasný (as a guest)
Bardolf Michal Noga (as a guest)
Nym Adam Jančina (as a guest)
Pistol Marek Lupták (Student, Academy of Performing Arts)
George Page, townsman Ján Gallovič
William, their son Samuel Kennedy (as a guest)
Anne Page, their daughter Viktória Petrášová (as a guest)
Frank Ford, townsman Jozef Vajda
Reverend Ewans, Welsh pastor Ľuboš Kostelný
Dr. Cajus, a French physician Tomáš Maštalír
Pani Quickly Zuzana Kocúriková
John Rugby Adam Marenišťák (as a guest)
Hostinský Ivan Vojtek
Fenton Adam Hilek
Richard Shallow František Kovár
Abraham Slender Daniel Fischer (as a guest)
Peter Simple Tadeáš Bolo (as a guest)
The Strongmen Krištof Tobiáš (as a guest) Alex Frič (Student, Academy of Performing Arts)