Happy Windsor ladies

Shakespearean comedy in Josef Bezdíček's masterful production

The director Josef Bezdíček had a lucky hand when he cast Jan Pivec in the lead role of his production of The Merry Wives. The other roles are also well cast, as the list of famous names says - Petr Haničinec, Jaroslav Vojta, Rudolf Hrušínský, Vlasta Fabianová, Ema Skálová, Míla Pačová and Marie Tomášová.

It is not without interest that Jan Pivec and Vlasta Fabianova (only this time in the role of Mrs. Hošková) were cast in 1962 by Jaromír Pleskot in his production at the National Theatre. It was performed until 1965 and had a total of one hundred and ten performances.

It is said that Queen Elizabeth herself commissioned the play from Shakespeare, as it was in the first part of Henry IV. ...was fascinated by the character of Falstaff the knight. She wanted to see her favourite on stage again and she also specified her order - she wanted to see him in love. It is also said that the famous playwright wrote this comedy in a fortnight.