Falstaff
Falstaff can refer to the character from Shakespeare's plays Henry IV (parts 1 and 2), and The Merry Wives of Windsor (see Falstaff in Wikipedia[1]), but also two dramatic works based on the three plays and bearing this title.
Contents
Falstaff by Giuseppe Verdi and Arrigo Boito
Arrigo Boito's libretto for Giuseppe Verdi's popular last opera is largely based on The Merry Wives of Windsor, with material from Shakespeare's Henry IV, Parts I and II added. It was first performed on 9 February 1893 at La Scala, Milan.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falstaff_(opera)
Falstaff by Ian Ferguson
The original text
Written in 1976, the work is based on and a combination of the Fallstaff [2] scenes from Shakespeare’s plays Henry IV (parts 1 and 2), and The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Translations and adaptations
Performance history in South Africa
1976: Staged by PACT at the Alexander Theatre, directed by Ken Leach, with Richard Haines (Falstaff), Ian Steadman (Bardolph), Nigel Daly (Francis), Michael Richard (Pistol), Dennis Schauffer (Chief Justice), Michael McCabe (Henry IV), Errol Ross (Prince Hal), Paul Slabolepszy (Poins), Nigel Vermaas (Nym), Don McCorkindale (Shallow), Dale Cutts (Fang), Anthony James/David Lewis (Westmoreland/Snare) and Lesley Nott/Annelisa Weiland/ Dorothy-Ann Gould (Doll Tearsheet). Costumes by Patricia Slavin, set by Ken Leach and incidental music composed and performed by David Lewis.
1984: Presented by CAPAB Drama in July with performances at the 1984 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, at the Guild Theatre in East London, the Opera House in Port Elizabeth, the H.B. Thom Theatre in Stellenbosch and on 1 August at the Nico Malan Theatre in Cape Town. The director was Ken Leach, decor, after the original design by Leach was by Peter Cazalet, costumes by Penny Simpson and lighting by Malcolm Hurrell. The cast: Ron Smerczak (Falstaff), Romano Gorlei, Mark Graham, Jakes Jacobs, David Clatworthy, David Dennis, David Alcock, Gary Carter, Russel Savadier, Roger Dwyer, André Roothman, Diane Wilson, Antoinette Kellermann, and Shirley Johnston.
Sources
PACT theatre programme, 1976.
CAPAB theatre programme, 1984.
Petru & Carel Trichardt theatre programme collection.
Go to ESAT Bibliography
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