EVENTS: Shakespearean Homeschoolers to present “The Merry Wives of Windsor” this weekend

Micah Wolf left, and Mary Herman. (photo by Aurie Maxwell)

by Abigail Maxwell

This year the Southern Maine Association of Shakespearean Homeschoolers (S.M.A.S.H.) is performing The Merry Wives of Windsor. This uproarious comedy revolves around Sir John Falstaff (played by Isla Granholm) in his hopes to woo, and win the money of, Mistress Ford (played by Micah Wolf) and Mistress Page (played by Mary Herman), the aforementioned wives of Windsor. Disgusted with his advances and completely aware that he is trying the same trick on them both, the two wives resolve to make him pay by Mistress Ford leading him on only to humiliate him.

Woven in the midst of that, Mistress Page’s daughter Anne Page (played by Rachel Maxwell) is being courted by three men, one of whom her father approves, one of whom her mother approves, and the one she truly loves. Each party involved has their own scheme and all plan around each other, trying to get the outcome they want. While a theme of revenge drives the plot, it is all harmless in the end.

The larger than life characters will have you laughing the entire play, from the smallest servant boy to the background characters who never speak.

This is something you will only get here. Theatre is about shared experience. When you go to the movies you are watching a film in a space with others but you are watching in isolation. When the actors are living the story right in front of you there is a connection that you can feel, between the actors on stage, between the individual and collective audience members, and between the actors and the audience. However, when watching this play there is more shared experience for me that makes my review a biased one. I was part of S.M.A.S.H. for six years, up until I left for college. I have younger siblings still in the program. Cumston Hall is a precious space for me, which holds memories that shaped who I’ve become. When you go and watch this play, you are not only in for a hilarious and wonderful experience but you’re supporting and witnessing the moments that are crafting the next generation.

There is much I could tell you about the power of theatre to train and educate people of all ages the invaluable skills of clear communication (yes, even in Shakespeare. Believe it or not), how to operate in a high stress environment, the importance and awareness of how you carry yourself, and how to work well with others. But I won’t bore you with the intricacies of my B.A. in Theatre Arts.

Instead, I will ask you to come see what 36 young kids between the ages of 6 – 18 are capable of and you can judge for yourself the skills which they have learned.

There are two performances left 6:30 p.m., on February 14, and 2 p.m., on February 15, at Cumston Hall: 796 Main Street, in Monmouth. Tickets can be bought online (smashmaine.jimdofree.com) or at the door.