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The Merry Wives at Windsor  

 It takes a village to bring down a man as big as Falstaff and the  The Merry Wives at Windsor, Mistress Page and Mistress Ford are just the two to lead them.
Described as one of Shakespeare’s lesser plays, it’s centerpiece figure Falstaff  has become one of his greatest characters.  a fact that is emphasized by his girth matching his giant ego.  Brian Mani totally fills the role to lead actors and audience in the  raucous show re-worked with  70s music, costumes and jokes!   
Most convincing is that we the audience are in on the plot. While actors move through the audience is nothing new, all that was missing in this one was asking for volunteers to come up on stage and join in with Mistress Page (Linda Bard)  and Mistress Ford  (Ami Brabson)  on their sofa to help concoct a plan to teach Falstaff a lesson.
There is fun with puns.  There are even puns within puns with the meshing of 1970s sitcoms with the bard’s bawdiness.
If actions speak louder than words, not only does Mistress Quickly (Kate Eastwood Norris)  play with her name, but before it is all over, she takes an unexpected tumble.  Very quickly!
It will take three attempts to strike Falstaff out but this rowdy bunch of characters will do it!
Kudos to the costume designer (Devon Painter).   One audience member nudge another saying for everyone to hear  “ You used to have those pants. “ 
There are no loose ends in this production!  Everything  is neatly sewn up in the end, as Shakespeare would have it.  

At the Folger Theatre, Washington DC, to March 1, 2020.

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