In focus: Bill Alexander 1985

Bill Alexander's bold production updated the action from the 1590s to the 1950s, complete with hairdryers, a cocktail cabinet and Morris Minor car.

Two women in curlers are seated in a hairdressing salon, just in front of hairdryers, comparing letters
Plotting under the hairdryer: Meg Page (Janet Dale) and Alice Ford (Lindsay Duncan) in The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC Browse and license our images

NEW ELIZABETHANS

Bill Alexander’s radically updated production launched the 1985 season at Stratford-upon-Avon. Instead of setting the play in the Tudor period, Alexander opted for the late 1950s.

MACMILLAN ERA

The era was later characterised by Conservative Prime Minister Harold Macmillan’s 1957 statement that "most of our people have never had it so good". Director Alexander believed that there was a clear parallel between the social aspirations of the 1590s and the 1950s.

SOCIAL SATIRE

Michael Billington thought the production was "an exuberant piece of social satire", Guardian, April 1985, in which the bourgeoisie (the Fords and Pages) exacted revenge on the decadent aristocracy (Falstaff).

PRODUCTION PHOTOS

Falstaff (Peter Jeffrey), The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
"A florid party with shifty eyes, a handlebar moustache, breeches and yellow waistcoat" John Peter, Sunday Times, 7 April 1985.

Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC Browse and license our images

Simple (Graham Turner), Slender (Ian Talbot), Shallow (Arnold Yarrow) and Evans (Bruce Alexander) in the Morris Minor car, The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC Browse and license our images

Meg Page (Janet Dale) and Alice Ford (Lindsay Duncan) plot their revenge on Falstaff, The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
"In toreador pants, stiletto heels and starchy frocks, [they] launch the gin-and-tonic age" John Lahr, The Spectator, 1985.

Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC Browse and license our images

Mistress Quickly (Sheila Steafel), The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
"A bemused, brandy tippling spinster in a purple cap...looking on in amazement as the revolve whirls her giddily round at the end of a scene." Michael Billington, Guardian, April 1985.

Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC Browse and license our images

Faint-hearted lover: Slender (Ian Talbot) and Anne Page (Francine Morgan), The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC Browse and license our images

Disguised as Master Brook, Frank Ford (Nicky Henson) hires Falstaff (Peter Jeffrey) to seduce his wife, The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC Browse and license our images

Frank Ford (Nicky Henson) disguised as Master Brook, The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Henson's Ford was full of passionate fury and maniacal invention but his insecure love for his wife was genuine rather than farcical.

Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC Browse and license our images

Mistress Quickly (Sheila Steafel) has a message for Falstaff (Peter Jeffrey), The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC Browse and license our images

Falstaff (Peter Jeffrey) tries to woo Alice Ford (Lindsay Duncan), The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC Browse and license our images

The duel between Dr Caius (David Bradley) and Hugh Evans (Bruce Alexander), The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC Browse and license our images

Falstaff (Peter Jeffrey) disguised as Herne the Hunter meets Alice Ford (Lindsay Duncan) and Meg Page (Janet Dale), The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC Browse and license our images

Mistress Quickly (Sheila Steafel) as the Fairy Queen arrives late at Herne's Oak, The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC Browse and license our images
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SCENE SHIFTING

Bill Alexander wasn't afraid to re-shape the play's structure: "the wives first meet under the hairdryers. Sir Hugh give William his Latin lesson while hanging about a bus stop...the Garter becomes a general meeting place...where Falstaff entertains the disguised Ford while other characters drop in to advance the plot over gin and tonics on their way back to their suburban nests."  Irving Wardle, The Times, 4 April 1985.

CAROUSEL SET

Designer William Dudley created a revolving set which cleverly exploited the technical resources of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, as scenes literally zoomed in and out. The stage was dominated by a large maypole decorated with Michelin men and AA signs, which revolved to indicate key scenes. The mock-Tudor Garter Inn was all fake wood panelling, while Herne's Oak was reduced to a stump with a Ministry of Works sign beside it.

The Merry Wives of Windsor_ 1985_ set diagram_1985_Designed by William Dudley_ image _c_ RSC_257546
Detail from the 1:25 scale diagram of William Dudley's set for The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Designed by William Dudley © RSC Browse and license our images

AWARD-WINNING

The winning combination of inventive direction and imaginative design ensured that the updated setting was successful with both audiences and reviewers.

The production was recognised at the Laurence Oliver Awards for 1986/87, when Bill Alexander and William Dudley won Director of the Year and Designer of the Year, respectively.

Design gallery

William Dudley's set for The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, featuring the Ford's front door, the central maypole and Morris Minor car.

Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Browse and license our images

Detail from the 1:25 scale diagram of the set designed by William Dudley for The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Details include the glitter ball and motor used at the end of the play, a revolving cat weather vane and windmill, as well as the Windsor roof tops.

Designed by William Dudley © RSC Browse and license our images

William Dudley's set for The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, showing the interior of the Ford's suburban house.

Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Browse and license our images

Detail from the 1:25 scale diagram of the set designed by William Dudley for The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
The diagram includes church tower and Windsor house roof tops, weather vanes, traffic lights and flying duck ornaments, the latter used to decorate the interior wall of the suburban semi.

Designed by William Dudley © RSC Browse and license our images

William Dudley's set for The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, featuring Dr Caius's consulting room. In this production, Dr Caius (David Bradley) was a rather droll French psychiatrist.

Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Browse and license our images

William Dudley's set for The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, featuring railings and a central maypole with bus stop.

Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Browse and license our images

William Dudley's set for The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, featuring the wooden stump of Herne's Oak. Note the axe and the Ministry of Works sign suggesting the tree has only recently been felled.

Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Browse and license our images
Launch Gallery

COMIC SET PIECES

In the following galleries you can explore two key scenes in production photos and extracts from the Prompt Book:

  • Act 2 Scene 1 - Meg Page and Alice Ford compare their letters from Falstaff
  • Act 4 Scene 2 - Jealous Frank Ford searches the laundry basket for Falstaff

Act 2 Scene 1 (Hairdryers)

Meg Page (Janet Dale) and Alice Ford (Lindsay Duncan), The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC Browse and license our images

Page 16 of the Prompt Book for The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, showing the text, cues and stage directions.

Directed by Bill Alexander © RSC Browse and license our images

Janet Dale as Meg Page in The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC Browse and license our images

Page 17 of the Prompt Book for The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, showing the text, cues and stage directions.

Directed by Bill Alexander © RSC Browse and license our images

Comparing diaries: Meg Page (Janet Dale) and Alice Ford (Lindsay Duncan), The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC Browse and license our images

Lindsay Duncan as Alice Ford in The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC Browse and license our images

Meg Page (Janet Dale) and Alice Ford (Lindsay Duncan) compare their letters from Falstaff, The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC Browse and license our images

A horrified Meg Page (Janet Dale) in The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC Browse and license our images
Launch Gallery

Act 4 Scene 2 (Laundry Basket)

Frank Ford (Nicky Henson) is on the hunt for Falstaff, The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC Browse and license our images

Beginning of Act 4 Scene 2 in the Prompt Book for The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, showing cast, props and furniture.

Directed by Bill Alexander © RSC Browse and license our images

Page 61 of the Prompt Book for The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, showing the text, cues and stage directions.

Directed by Bill Alexander © RSC Browse and license our images

Frank Ford (Nicky Henson) searches in vain for Falstaff in the laundry basket, The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC Browse and license our images

Page 62 of the Prompt Book for The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, showing the text, cues and stage directions.

Directed by Bill Alexander © RSC Browse and license our images

Page 63 of the Prompt Book for The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, showing the text, cues and stage directions.

Directed by Bill Alexander © RSC Browse and license our images

Page 64 of the Prompt Book for The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, showing the text, cues and stage directions.

Directed by Bill Alexander © RSC Browse and license our images

Page 65 of the Prompt Book for The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, showing the text, cues and stage directions.

Directed by Bill Alexander © RSC Browse and license our images

Page 65a of the Prompt Book for The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, showing stage directions.

Directed by Bill Alexander © RSC Browse and license our images

Page 66 of the Prompt Book for The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, showing the text, cues and stage directions.

Directed by Bill Alexander © RSC Browse and license our images

Page 66a of the Prompt Book for The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, showing stage directions.

Directed by Bill Alexander © RSC Browse and license our images

Page 67 of the Prompt Book for The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, showing the text, cues and stage directions.

Directed by Bill Alexander © RSC Browse and license our images

Page 68 of the Prompt Book for The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, showing the text, cues and stage directions.

Directed by Bill Alexander © RSC Browse and license our images

Page 69 of the Prompt Book for The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1985, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, showing stage directions.

Directed by Bill Alexander © RSC Browse and license our images
Launch Gallery
Theatrical poster in 1950s cartoon style showing check-suited fat moustached man running away from a blond and dark women and an urban crowd in pursuit

CAST AND CREATIVES

COMPANY

Royal Shakespeare Theatre

Bruce Alexander – Hugh Evans

Peter Barrett - Child

Donna Basson - Child

Russell Boulter - John

David Bradley – Dr Caius

Richard Conway – Man in Street

Janet Dale – Meg Page

Lindsay Duncan – Alice Ford

Penelope Freeman - Barmaid

Silas Gregory - Child

Nicky Henson – Frank Ford

Tony Higgins – Robin (alt)

Brian Horstead - Nym

Rachel Humphries - Child

Roger Hyams - Robert

Peter Jeffrey – Sir John Falstaff

Trevor Martin - Host of the Garter

Paul McGreevey - Child

Rachel McLauchlin - Child

Justin Meads – Robin (alt)

Francine Morgan – Anne Page

Campbell Morrison - Pistol

Mike Murray - Bardolph

Amelia Newey - Child

Craig Priestley - Child

Lynn Randerson - Child

Mark Randerson - Child

Penny Ryder- Woman in Street

Sandford, Michael – William Page (alt)

Hugh Simon - Teddy Boy

Paul Spence - Fenton

Sheila Steafel – Mistress Quickly

Nicholas Storr - Child

Timothy Sullivan - William Page (alt)

Nicola Swash - Child

Ian Talbot – Abraham Slender

Graham Turner – Peter Simple

Sarah Turner - Child

David Wadham - Child

Louise Wallington - Child

Liane Webb - Child

Paul Webster – George Page

Alexander Wilson - Rugby

Daniel Wilson - Child

Arnold Yarrow – Justice Shallow

 

CREATIVES

 

Director – Bill Alexander

Designer – William Dudley

Lighting Designer – Leo Leibovici

Sound Designer - Bob Burnell

Movement – Anthony Van Laast

Music – Jeremy Sams

 

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