Bard’s merry trist under the stars

THE Merry Wives of Windsor will be presented as Stanthorpe Little Theatre stages its ninth annual production of Shakespeare Under the Stars at Bungawarra Winery, Ballandean, at the start of next month.
Reputedly written at the request of Queen Elizabeth I, the hilarious and brilliantly constructed farce is bustling with vivid characters.
Audiences can see Shakespeare’s greatest comic character, Sir John Falstaff supposedly ‘in love’ with the two merry wives, but more enamoured of their money than their female lures.
Audiences can hiss at the villain, sigh with the young lovers, savour the wives’ revenge and laugh at the faithful mix of folly and fun.
“It’s a magical outdoor setting at Bungawarra, with the trees and granite rocks backlit, the intimacy of live theatre and the occasional appearance of the resident owl we’ve affectionately dubbed Will,” Little Theatre president and actress Pauline Leigh said.
“Over the past nine years, we’ve found that people who thought they didn’t like or understand Shakespeare, who perhaps got dragged along by their partners or family, have really enjoyed themselves and have come back year after year.
“Our actors and directors do a wonderful job of telling the story, making the rhythm and poetry of Shakespeare come alive,” Ms Leigh said.
Some regulars come armed with a picnic and enjoy the view over the vines as the sun is setting. Nights can be cool, so be sure to bring something warm to wear.
Performances are on Friday and Saturday 1-2 November and on Sunday 3 November.
Tickets are available from Greg Lanyon Financial Services on (07) 46812363 at Rogers Street, Stanthorpe, at Bungawarra and at the ‘door’. In case of rain, patrons are urged to call (07) 4684 1128 to confirm venue.