Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1471185
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 19 JUNE 2022 7 ART MADC's Shakespeare in the Gardens returns The Merry Wives of Windsor (Terrace) reboots MADC's much-loved annual outdoor Shakespeare tradition at San Anton with a Maltese twist THIS summer, audiences can once again experience the magic of Shakespeare performed out- doors at the beautiful San Anton Gardens in Attard for the first time since 2019. Following a hiatus due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, MADC's production of The Merry Wives of Windsor (Terrace) in July continues the theatre company's decades-long annual appointment with the Bard at San Anton Gardens. "MADC is delighted to pro- duce our first Shakespeare at San Anton since before the pandemic," says MADC Artistic Director, Marylu Coppini. "Our annual tradition of staging an open-air Shakespeare play be- gan in 1938, interrupted only by World War II and now, COV- ID-19. We are looking forward to welcoming audiences back to San Anton, to delight once again in live theatre in a truly unique setting." One of the Bard's classic com- edies is set to mark the return of this Shakespearean summer staple from 16-24 July, with a staging and storyline that is dis- tinctly Maltese. Set in Malta in the late 1970s/ early 1980s, The Merry Wives of Windsor (Terrace) starts as the President of Malta has waved off the last remaining British naval forces and the country stands on the threshold of a new economic age, with the growing Maltese middle-class becoming more affluent – except for Sir John Falstaff. As a knight of the realm, Falstaff is rich in title but poor in funds, but he still wants to live in luxury alongside his Maltese ex-naval companions, Pistol, Nym and Bardolph. Set- tling into a B&B named 'The Garter', Falstaff is a grifter and conman with an eye for possi- bilities – and he sets his eye on two housewives who he thinks are ripe for seduction, with the possibility of filching their husbands' purses. Will they be impressed by his title, if not his girth – or will Falstaff's plans fall short of these merry wives' even more cunning connivanc- es? Directed by Chris Gatt, a stel- lar cast will bring Shakespeare's hilarious tale to life at San An- ton. Edward Thorpe stars as Sir John Falstaff alongside Antonel- la Axisa as Margaret Page, Kim Dalli as Alice Ford and Franc- esca Briffa as Mistress Quickly. Joining them on the open-air stage is also a superb supporting cast including Brendon Thearle, Tennessee Witney, Tyrone Gri- ma, Alex Weenink, Kyle Borg and Franco Sciberras, among many others. What's more, audiences can now book tickets with a 20 per cent discount, in an early-bird offer that takes the full ticket price of €22 down to just €17.60 – available for a limited time only! MADC's The Merry Wives of Windsor will show at San Anton Gardens, Attard, on 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 July, with all performances starting at 8.30pm. This production is supported by Arts Council Malta and is suitable for audiences aged 10 and over. Tickets and further in- formation are available at www. madc.com.mt. L-R Kim Dalli, Edward Thorpe and Antonella Axisa Left to right: Craig Abela and Francesca Briffa From left: Nicole Sciberras, Tyrone Grima and Alex Weenink (PHOTOS: JUSTIN MAMO