“"The best Shakespeare around!"”
The charisma and zest of Northern Broadsides squeezes every last ounce of comedy gold from Shakespeare’s affectionately calamitous tale. It will tickle your funny bone and poke a jovial finger in the eye of middle England.
Barrie Rutter is Sir John Falstaff, past-his-prime and skint! Vain rogue that he is, he attempts to seduce a couple of well-to-do wives – but Mistress Page and Mistress Ford are wise to his plan and exact their revenge with hilarious and unimaginable consequences.
If you like your Shakespeare light, funny and wickedly entertaining then look no further. The Merry Wives is bursting at the seams with verbal fun, physical comedy and a bevy of cunningly colourful characters.
"Carry on Falstaff..."
— Alfred Hickling, The Guardian
"comic revenge romp..."
— Roger Foss, The Stage
" a big hit..."
— Jayne White, The Sentinel
"not to be missed..."
— Carol Lovatt, Reviews Hub
"verve, energy, noise, and… well… merriment..."
— John Hargreaves, Native Monster
"Rich, ribald and hilariously funny..."
— Anne Cox, Stage Review
The pioneering documentary rock musical that helped define the New Vic Theatre’s signature actor-musician style will return to the theatre this April…
Read Article >
To mark Emotional Health Awareness Day, New Vic Borderlines’ Next Chapter and Chapter 2 groups present Things We Don’t Say, Until Now…
Read Article >
In association with local Ukrainian groups, New Vic Borderlines will hold a vigil in the New Vic’s Peace Garden on Tuesday 24 February 2026…
Read Article >