The Merry wives of windsor - Essay Example

Running head: MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR Cultural Event Report “The Merry Wives of Windsor” Institute The Merry Wives of Windsor A cultural event is a worthwhile experience for any student or researcher, because it provides an insight into a completely different era, and helps in understanding the changing norms of various societies. Recently, I was given the task of experiencing an artistic activity or place of my choice. I chose to attend an aesthetic performance because theatre and performing arts have always inspired my aesthetics.

It wasn’t difficult to select the event because Shakespeare style is what I admire most among cultural plays, and I agree with the saying that “theatre, and especially Shakespeare in performance, opens up new worlds for its audiences” (Hodgdon & Worthen, 2008). I was very fortunate that the famous Shakespeare comedy “The Merry Wives of Windsor” was being shown after almost a decade at the “Shakespeare Theatre Company” located at 7th Street, Northwest Washington, DC (Edleson, 2012).

I booked seats for me and my wife for a 2 pm matinee show three days in advance to confirm my viewing experience on July 8th. The ticket charges were nominal ranging over $20 to $200 (Baskir, 2012). I had to make initial preparations for the assignment, so I started understanding the plot and storyline of this play so that I should be able to evaluate. The merry wives of Windsor represent an Elizabethan era England, and the story revolves around Sir John Falstaff, who is asked by two respectable Windsor citizens Mr.

Ford and Mr. Page to woo and seduce their wives in order to confirm their loyalty (Grav, 2012). Matters get complicated as the story unfolds and Falstaff gets caught by the two ladies who conspire against him. Though it is a comedy, the theme entails how manipulative people can be and how monetary interests overlap every relation in a society (Grav, 2012). This play deals with the issues of middle class in an economically unstable English society and highlights the dark side of an aristocrat society (Grav, 2012).

On the due day, I dressed up formally because at such event one should wear clothes that are sophisticated, and reflect our own culture. Shakespeare Theatre Company was celebrating its silver jubilee, and that is why the ambience reflected positivity and festivity (Eisley, 2012). The play’s backdrop was transitioned from 16th century Elizabethan era to early 20th century England (Eisley, 2012). Stephen Raynel who directed the critically acclaimed Sabrina fair at Ford’s Theatre was directing it, and the play boasted of a strong cast.

First thing that struck me with surprise was the set of the play. It was intelligently designed by Daniel Lee Conway, and it convincingly displayed a scenario of English society post-World War 1. The stage complimented the milieu of the story, and a specific look was given to the play’s main locations. Like Garter, Inn (Falstaff’s room) was designed on the themes of Tudor revival style to depict the Edwardian and Victorian era influence. The homes of Mr. Page and Mr. Ford were designed using graphical wall papers that incorporated different symbols and images to highlight the emergence of Art Deco Movement during 1919.

This mixing of various themes created an enigmatic atmosphere, and it felt like we have entered an unusual world. Second most inspiring aspect of this performance was the costumes and getup of the artists. Indeed great effort was involved by the whole team, but special credit goes to the costume designer Wade Laboissonniere. The whole cast was given a distinctive look, and completely fitted to the character of the play I had read. It is an important aspect of a cultural play that the costumes should be created carefully, because it provides information about the dressing style of people during a particular period of history.

Here due to the change of era, special consideration must have been given to the styling without changing the original character traits. For instance, Mrs. Page was a housewife, so she mostly wore subtle colors and simple dresses, but Mistress Ford donned bright colored fashionable dresses. To remain intact during the period, the characters wore Edwardian style costumes with bowler hats and high-heeled boots. The most memorable part of this 2 hour 45 minutes long five act play was the scene two from act two where Falstaff’s dialogue “if money goes before, always do lie open” exposes the basic theme of this play (Grav, 2008).

It is the most important scene, in my opinion, where Shakespeare has described the complications that greed, dishonesty, and self-indulgence could cause in a very subtle and humorous manner. Money has been mentioned several times in this particular scene, which shows that Shakespeare believed it to be the main cause behind all communal evils. This play not just tackles social issues, but also exposes the hypocritical facets of males in a society. The overall impact of the play was magnificent, and was by far the most enjoyable theatre experience I have had so far.

The seating and environment of the theatre were inviting and relaxing. Audience also thoroughly enjoyed the show, and applauded the artists for their immaculate comic timing. Since I had to observe it from several aspects to complete my report, I was more engrossed in the play and how it was being conducted than the others. I noticed various characteristics of English society which I did not know before. This was definitely an experience I will cherish for a long time. ReferencesHodgdon, B. & Worthen, W. B. (2008).

A companion to shakespeare and performance. John Wiley & Sons.Grav, P. (2012). Shakespeares England: Where money definitely matters. The Merry Wives of Windsor, 6. Retrieved from http://www.shakespearetheatre.org/_pdf/asides/merrywives_Asides.pdfGrav, P. (2008). Shakespeare and the economic imperative. Routledge. Edleson, E. (2012). Little black book of washington dc. Peter Pauper Press, Inc. Eisley, R. (2012). Playdc: merry wives of windsor @ the shakespeare theatre company. Retrieved from http://www.

brightestyoungthings.com/articles/playdc-merry-wives-of-windsor-the-shakespeare-theatre-company.htmBaskir, G. (2012). Shakespeare theatre company the merry wives of windsor. Retrieved from http://washingtondc.showbizradio.com/2012/06/19/review-stc-merry-wives-of-windsor/