A dandy evening in the park
Company of Fools delivers a funny, physical romp
The Merry Wives of Windsor A Company of Fools Reviewed Monday
Shows by A Company of Fools have been a hit-and-miss affair the past couple of years, but the company is back in fine fettle with its Torchlight Shakespeare production of The Merry Wives of Windsor.
The plot is an absurdly convoluted one that consumes an entire page in the program. Suffice to say that Falstaff, the licentious, belly-centred rogue we remember from Shakespeare’s two Henry IV plays, is back at his philandering ways, pursuing two married women. The plot turns on multiple deceptions, which ultimately entrap that old deceiver Falstaff himself and lead to his humiliating comeuppance.
Director Catriona Leger propels this story at a clip that, even in the heat of Strathcona Park on Monday night, was funny, physical and fluid.
Her cast is for the most part well-balanced, with six actors, among them Simon Bradshaw and Katie Ryerson, along with a couple of puppets playing almost 20 characters.
Matthew John Lundvall, however, struggles with his character of Falstaff in the early going and seems like an outsider to the rest of the smoothly meshing cast. His Falstaff, consisting mostly of a jutting, padded belly and popping eyes, has almost no definition until well into the action.
Since much of that action — foolery involving the pursued wives, their husbands (John Doucet brings a pleasing depth to the cuckoldry-fearing Mr. Ford) and other subplots — occurs without Falstaff onstage, Lundvall’s performance doesn’t hinder the show unduly. He rallies toward the end, giving a taste of what his Falstaff might have been.
Vanessa Imeson’s gorgeous, pastel costumes with an Edwardian theme and her simple but clever set round out this dandy production.
To mark the 10th anniversary of Torchlight Shakespeare, the company is mounting a second, indoor show, Hal & Falstaff, in September. It’s an adaptation by Margo MacDonald and features the same cast as the current show. Information: fools. ca.
The Merry Wives of Windsor continues in various Ottawa parks until Aug. 17. Information: 613- 863-7529, fools.ca.