Shakepeare in the Gardens

His Grumpiness and I went with a few people from my work to see Shakespeare the gardens featuring the Merry Wives of Windsor.  The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens are a beautiful setting for any event let alone a Shakespearean thespian one.  At the end of a beautiful warm Autumn day, the grounds where a picture with the odd random wild duck waddling amongst the crowd looking for edible morsels.

The Merry Wives of Windsor is a farce that was written at the command of Queen Elizabeth the First.  It is not one of Shakespeare's best but I was looking forward to seeing one of my work colleagues in the role of Mr Ford.

The production started off slowly but soon found it's feet and turned out to be a rollicking good time. Particular highlights were interactions between Falstaff and Mr Ford disguised as Mr Brook and the scenes with Mistress Ford and Mistress Hay.

Halfway through the first act the sun set below kunanyi and a waxing crescent moon shone brightly in the sky,  A flock of ducks flew low across the setting and made it seem otherworldly.  I marvelled at the actors' performances and wondered what motivates someone to do that night after night for little or no fee.   Learning all those lines, attending all those rehearsals and finally performing and interacting with the audience.  I guess each night is different, depending on the audience, and that is what makes it exciting.  To hear people laugh at your actions and clap for the fun time they have had must be rewarding.