Bad play, good fun

Shakespeare’s Globe

It may be one of Shakespeare’s worst plays, but, in the opinion of most of the critics, this production of The Merry Wives of Windsor still manages to be funny, thanks to Sean Holmes’ direction and the comic performances of the cast.

[Links to full reviews are included but a number are behind paywalls and therefore may not be accessible]

4 stars ★★★★

Anya Ryan at LondonTheatre was impressed: ‘This production fizzes, right from the start, with zooming scenes and every speck of humour wrung out and paraded.’

The Standard’s Nick Curtis ended his review: ‘This Shakespearean curiosity has been most handsomely and thoughtfully mounted’.

Dominic Cavendish of the Telegraph called it ‘lucid, edited for swiftness, emphatically spoken and offers those seeking some light relief at Shakespeare’s Globe a dependably enjoyable, if basic outing – possibly, on a balmy evening, a blissful one.’

For The Guardian, Mark Lawson wasn’t enthusiastic about the play but liked the production: ‘The cast, though, also bring out what is most Shakespearean about this potboiler frivolity: the fascinated ear for speech.’ He concluded that it was ‘a joyous production that is a perfect summer night’s revel for tourists and citizens alike.’

3 stars ★★★

Alex Wood for WhatsOnStage called it ‘a completely serviceable and entertaining evening’. He praised George Fouracres: ‘(His) mastery of the text, his ability to pluck a laugh from a frenetic Falstaff aside, has to be commended. He also revels in the paradox of this central figure: a womanising, callous and selfish figure no doubt, but also a pitiable man swaddled, mocked and beaten by his peers.’

Holly O’Mahony for The Stage thought Fouracres, ‘along with a first-rate ensemble, lathers this tricksy play with sparkling humour, although Holmes’ staging doesn’t illuminate or elevate this lesser comedy in any way.’

Abbie Grundy for BroadwayWorld disagreed with Ms O’Mahony about the director: ‘confident direction from Sean Holmes allows for a laugh-a-minute production that’s full of sleazy charm, trickery, and wit’ but agreed ‘George Fouracres is absolutely fantastic as Falstaff, commanding the stage with natural charisma throughout.’

TimeOut’s Andrzej Lukowski concluded: ‘it’s not a great play, and rather than bend over backwards to try and make it look like it might be one, Holmes has opted to have fun. And so long as you’re not expecting too much from this flimsiest of works, you’ll have fun too.’

Rachel Halliburton for The Arts Desk summed up: ‘this shamelessly silly interpretation that won’t go down as a classic, but still provides more than enough hedonistic fizz for a summer’s evening.’

Patrick Marmion of the Mail was not impressed: ‘Excruciating subplots pass in a blur of regional accents and false beards…Cutting half an hour would be a small mercy — especially the random Welsh parson teaching grammar…But the set design of Liberty print wallpaper and matching costumes is easy on the eye, and the physical comedy just about gets us over the line.’

Critics’ Average Rating 3.5★

The Merry Wives of Windsor can be seen at Shakespeare’s Globe until 20 September 2025. Buy tickets directly from the theatre.

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