Ventnor Blog

Illyria bring open air theatre to Northwood House this coming Friday with their production of Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare.

Multiple international award-winning Illyria has a deservedly unparalleled reputation for the clarity and authenticity of its Elizabethan comic style.

Falstaff is skint – so to access some of their money he sends identical love-letters to Mrs Page and Mrs Ford.

The women recognise that his intentions are not entirely honourable, so they set about to humiliate him in the most extravagant ways they can devise! Bring a chair or rug and a picnic and enjoy an evening of rumbustious fun.

Bits and Bobs:
Venue: Northwood House, Cowes
Date: Friday 1 August 2008, 7:30 pm
Tickets: Adult - £10, under 16s - £7
Check Illyria Web site for more detail

What the papers say
“It moves at a cracking pace, the plotting is neat, the characters are strong and well-differentiated. Every actor squeezes the potential out of his or her part, and there are many touches of directorial excellence from Oliver Gray.”
Nottingham Evening Post

“What’s undeniable is the sheer heroism of the cast. They rush, dive, prattle, scene-change and cross-dress like the team of total professionals they are, giving the audience a fine time in the process. And if this is finally a production more about their ingenuity than about the play itself – well, Shakespeare only wrote this play to entertain on a bright summer’s night and that’s exactly what it does.”
The Scotsman

“Illyria captivated the audience with extravagant and comical costumes and contemporary references throughout the play — which has a staggering nine sub-plots. What may have seemed like madness on stage at any other time, unfolded as sheer comedy with impressive acting.”
Ross-shire Journal

Image: Illyria

Cowes, Events, Theatre