The Merry Wives of Hay Street

Fancy a mug of lovely soup and some fresh bread for only $5? How about if we throw in a free show? This has got to be the best value in town - at least until the Festival street theatre hits Perth in 2000.Handzon Theatre Company is presenting its third (?) lunchtime performance in the Perth Town Hall, Hay Street. Never heard of Handzon? Well what if i mention the names: Jenny Davis, Michael Loney, Vivienne Garret, Polly Low, Rosemary Barr, George Shevstov, Jake Newby and more? That's right, some of the cream of Perth's talent have combined to present this great little venture.The Merry Wives of Hay St has been adapted from Shakespeare's play and directed by Jenny Davis. Jenny has craftily condensed the original plot to 40 minutes and transposed the setting from 16th century Windsor to suburban Dalkieth some time soon.The energetic, slapstick style will be familiar to those that have visited Kings Park on balmy summers' nights and also to anyone that caught the recent "complete works" at the Maj. If you are not familiar with any of these recent productions, then i can warn you to expect some shameless mugging, glorious hamming, endless smutty references, hilarious upstaging and extreme flatulence. Don't expect too much reverence for the Bard!Oddly enough, i can't help feeling that Merry Wives and Complete Works as opposed to Shakeseare in the Park, have actually demonstrated more "respect" for the original texts by not for one moment pretending that they are "doing Shakespeare". Rather they're choosing to have a damn good time doing their own thing - sending him up and have no pretensions to be actually doing the original play any justice.I should mention, quite a few people have commented that the acoustics in the hall rendered the actors inaudible on occasions. I think i heard every word - but i was sitting second row in the middle! Seating is unreserved, so get in early.The show runs twice daily Monday to Friday (with no performances on Tuesdays) 12.10pm and 1.10pm until 27th August. Tickets at the door or through BOCS.