Article: Arts Diary: The ever so Merry Wives in 1940s style; THEATRE Merry Wives of Windsor Birchwood Centre.(Features)

Byline: Malcolm Handley

NE respected critic reportedly said: ``The problem with Shakespeare's comedies is they are simply not funny.'' Had he seen this Merry Wives of Windsor he may well have been forced into a rethink.

The Royal Shakespeare Company - with its travelling theatre - has taken his tale of potential infidelity and thwarted lust, given it an inspired 1940s dress-up and turned out a sparkling production that is witty, funny and hugely entertaining.

Of course, infidelity was always a rich theme in the Bard's canon - the cuckold, the cheated wife, misled suitor and trusted go-between are all constructs of such wonderful and varied ...

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