Shakespeare's Globe's The Merry Wives of Windsor To Tour US And UK This Fall

Shakespeare's Globe revives its acclaimed 2008 production of The Merry Wives of Windsor this summer for a run at the Globe, before embarking on an international tour. Christopher Luscombe's delightful and humorous production will perform in Los Angeles and New York during the autumn, continuing partnerships formed during the Globe's US tour of Love's Labour's Lost last year. The production will return to the UK for performances in Milton Keynes, Norwich, Richmond and Bath.

Many of the 2008 cast will return, including Christopher Benjamin as Falstaff, Serena Evans as Mistress Page, Sarah Woodward as Mistress Ford and Andrew Havill as Frank Ford. Joining the 2010 production is Hollyoaks actor Gerard McCarthy as Fenton, Barnaby Edwards as Rugby and Ceri-Lyn Chissone as Anne Page.

With its physical gags, linguistic jokes and vivid characters, The Merry Wives of Windsor celebrates the foundations of the modern TV sitcom and features many characters from Henry IV parts 1 and 2, which also appear in the Globe's theatre season this summer. Christopher Luscombe, once a Shakespeare comic actor himself, takes full advantage of this witty and affable play, directing a production full of irresistible charm - complimented by vibrant designs from Janet Bird and a jaunty score from composer Nigel Hess.

Christopher Benjamin returns to play Falstaff - one of Shakespeare's most famous and much loved characters. Christopher's recent theatre work includes The Family Reunion (Donmar Warehouse), All Mouth (Menier Chocolate Factory), A Voyage Around my Father (Donmar Warehouse and Wyndams Theatre), Twelfth Night (National Tour) and Henry IV Part I (Regents Park Open Air Theatre).

Serena Evans is best known for her role as Sergeant Dawkins in TV's The Thin Blue Line. Her recent stage work includes Present Laughter (UK tour), God of Carnage (Theatre Royal Bath and tour), Once in a Lifetime (National Theatre), and Candida (Oxford Stage Company).

Sarah Woodward's recent work includes Judgement Day (Almeida), Rookery Nook (Menier Chocolate Factory), Present Laughter (National Theatre), the title role in Lady Macbeth (Regents Park Open Air Theatre) and The Comedy of Errors (Shakespeare's Globe).

Andrew Havill's stage work includes Ring Round the Moon (Playhouse Theatre), The Comedy of Errors (Shakespeare's Globe), Arsenic and Old Lace (Theatre Royal Bath and Tour) and Candida (Oxford Stage Company). His film work includes The Broken, Sylvia (with Gwyneth Paltrow) and The Heart of Me (with Helena Bonham Carter).

Gerard McCarthy is best known for his role as Kris Fisher in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks. His theatre credits include The Miser (Lyric Theatre Belfast), Call Me Lee (New End Theatre) and Mamma Mia! (Prince Edward Theatre). Barnaby Edwards has been the voice of the Darleks since Doctor Who was revived in 2005 and has appeared opposite Christopher Ecclestone, David Tennant and current Doctor Matt Smith.

Shakespeare's Globe's Kings and Rogues theatre season includes Shakespeare's Macbeth, Henry VIII and Henry IV Parts 1 and 2. The Globe will present two new plays - Anne Boleyn by Howard Brenton and Bedlam by Nell Leyshon. In addition to its main stage programme, the Globe's two regionAl Small-scale tours from 2009 return to exchange venue circuits - The Comedy of Errors and A Midsummer Night's Dream.

The Merry Wives of Windsor Tour Schedule 2010

Shakespeare's Globe
14 August - 2 October
Press night Thursday 19 August
Midnight matinee Friday 17 September

Eli and Edyth Broad Stage, Los Angeles, America
14 - 24 October

Michael Schimmel Center for the Performing Arts, New York, America
28 October - 7 November

Milton Keynes Theatre
16 - 20 November

Norwich Theatre Royal
23 - 27 November

Richmond Theatre
30 November - 4 December

Theatre Royal Bath
6 - 11 December

The Merry Wives of Windsor cast and creative team:
Director Christopher Luscombe
Designer Janet Bird
Composer Nigel Hess
Choreographer Jenny Arnold

Full Cast - Nathan Amzi; Gareth Armstrong; William Belchambers; Christopher Benjamin; Philip Bird; Ceri-Lyn Cissone; Barnaby Edwards; Serena Evans; Peter Gale; Michael Garner; Gregory Gudgeon; Andrew Havill; Gerard McCarthy; JonTy Stephens; Sue Wallace; Paul Woodson and Sarah Woodward

Booking:
Phone 020 7401 9919 or 020 7087 7398
In person Mon-Sat 10am-6pm (8pm on performance days)
Sundays 10am-5pm (7pm on performances days)
On-line www.shakespeares-globe.org
Tickets £5.00 - £35.00

Education Events at Shakespeare's Globe:
Setting the Scene (pre-performance) - Tuesdays at 6pm (17 and 24 August, 14, 21 and 28 September)
Talking Theatre (post matinee) - Wednesdays and Saturdays (Wed 25 and Sat 28 August, Sat 11, Wed 15 and Wed 22 September)
Childsplay (matinee only) - Sat 28 August, Sat 11 September and Sat 2 October
Perspective (pre-performance) - Wed 8 September at 6pm

Shakespeare's Globe Access Line 020 7902 1409 or email access@shakespearesglobe.com

Need more UK / West End Theatre News in your life? Sign up for all the news on the Winter season, discounts & more...