Review #1 of 2: The Merry Wives of Windsor by The Baron's Men
by Hannah Neuhauser

In all of Shakespeare’s greatest comedies, someone is being screwed over for their odious stupidity. In the Baron’s Men production of The Merry Wives of Windsor, Sir John Falstaff (Julio Melia) attempts to seduce both Mistress Page (Renée Osborn) and Mistress Ford (Lindsay Palinksy) with copies of the same rather crude love letter. Of course, when an event such as this occurs, women talk. The wives conduct a series of pranks to teach the drunken rake a lesson he will never forget. And  . . .  there's a rather long subplot about marrying sweet Anne, the Pages' daughter. 

 

If you wish to see Shakespeare as intended, the Baron’s Men is the crème de la crème. I have been to past performances where Julio Mella has been cast as smaller side characters, but here he is in a leading role, and I couldn’t be more thrilled! How doth I describe this beautifully eclectic man? Picture Hanna Barbara’s Quick Draw McGraw with the mannerisms of Ed Wynn, and you have Julia Mella’s uproariously egotistical, but somehow endearing Falstaff. His reactions are wildly funny, filled with dynamic physical comedy. He is the highlight of the production and not to be missed. Equally talented are his intended conquests Mistress Page and Mistress Ford. Lindsay Palinksy’s eyebrows alone carry the weight of a woman who keeps her head high, in spite of her husband’s lack of attention. Aaron Niemuth’s mostly silent performance as Simple also deserves credit, stealing each scene with nary a word. His silent pulls to the audience had me laughing every time. 

 

 

Those of you who know the Baron’s Men will be aware that the Scottish Rite Theatre is not their traditional venue. They have a legacy of decades historical reproductions at The Curtain, a small-scale reconstruction of England’s Elizabethan theatres. Company traditions include vigorous audience interaction, the ringing of the bell at the start of each act, and a “Drink to the Company” round at the finale. The Curtain was an outdoor venue with minimal set design. Audiences sat in a half circled about the thrust stage, and players could make unpredictable entrances / exits – some circled the outside theatre before reappearing on the mainstage. Those practices were excellent for The Curtain, whichI dearly miss; however, in an enclosed space they do not carry over well. The Scottish Rite has a much deeper stage, meaning that a minimalist set like a table either must be placed further downstage to be seen or flanked or situated beneath the theatre's gorgeous painted 19th-century backdrops.

 

 By the far the most engaging set was the finale in the forest. My jaw dropped – it was like seeing Walt Dinsey’s multi-plane backgrounds from Bambi. How I wished the cast had adapted more to the new setting instead of attempting to recreate the magic of The Curtain. Several scenes lagged or dragged waiting for the next scene to start. I highly suggest that the Baron’s Men locate volunteers to help backstage and throughout intermission. I respect their do-it-all-yourself mindset, but as a stage manager – y’all need more help if you want smoother transitions in an indoor theatre. Unlike The Curtain, in the SRT you the audience member can’t comfortably talk to your friends and picnic while waiting. The atmosphere is stiffer indoors and audiences new to both Shakespeare and and the company will not have the same empathetic patience as your devoted followers.

 

Overall, the Baron’s Men The Merry Wives of Windsor is a great Shakespearean production. The costumes are historically accurate and gorgeous, performers are engaging, and when the set is brought into play, it is stunning. I recommend supporting this troupe and donating to their campaign for a new Curtain Theatre to showcase the height of what this theatrical team has to offer.

 

The Merry Wives of Windsor is performed at the Scottish Rite Theatre in downtown Austin from April 23 to May 10. Tickets can be purchased at https://thebaronsmen.org/season/merry-wives-of-windsor/

 

EXTRA

Click HERE to view the Baron's Men's full program for The Merry Wives of Windsor

 

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The Merry Wives of Windsor
by William Shakespeare
The Baron's Men

April 23 - May 10, 2026

Scottish Rite Theatre, 18th and San Jacinto, Austin

Tickets via www.thebaronsmen.org