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Scene from "The Merry Wives of Windsor; or, Harlequin and Sir John Falstaff, 1850. Creator: Unknown. Scene from "The Merry Wives of Windsor; or, Harlequin and Sir John Falstaff, 1850. Creator: Unknown
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Scene from "The Merry Wives of Windsor; or, Harlequin and Sir John Falstaff, 1850. Creator: Unknown. Scene from "The Merry Wives of Windsor; or, Harlequin and Sir John Falstaff, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Scene from "The Merry Wives of Windsor; or, Harlequin and Sir John Falstaff, [Surrey Theatre, London], 1850....the never-to-be forgotten incident of the buck-basket, in Datchet Mead...The Christmas pantomime is, in fact, "Shakspeare Burlesqued"; and, as characterising the management of the theatre generally, it may, perhaps, he permitted to pass without censure. Windsor-Park and environs furnish the subjects of the scene, and the story of the drama is literally followed, up to the commencement of the transformation. Falstaff, Ford, and Page, with their wives, &c. being reproduced in exaggerated semblances. Sorry work; but to this profanation great poets are subjected by the irreverent and the selfish. All the appointments are of a costly description. The gorgeous pavilion of butterflies and the National Exhibition of 1851 are both attractive scenes'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850
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Media ID 36213483
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Arlecchino Basket Character Comedy Commedia Dellarte Falstaff Funny Harlequin Merry Wives Of Windsor Panto Pantomime Princess Rosetta Shakespeare Shakespeare William Shakspeare Show Silly Sir John Falstaff The Merry Wives Of Windsor Theatre Italien William Shakespeare Playhouse
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This image hails from a scene in The Merry Wives of Windsor, a 1850 production at the Surrey Theatre in London. The scene depicts Harlequin, a classic commedia dell'arte character, and Sir John Falstaff, a notorious rogue from Shakespeare's play, engaged in an amusing escapade. The setting is inspired by Windsor-Park and its surroundings, with the story of the drama unfolding up to the beginning of the transformation. Falstaff, Ford, and their wives, along with other characters, are caricatured in this production, adding to the burlesque nature of the Christmas pantomime. The elaborate costumes and sets, including a pavilion adorned with butterflies and a reference to the National Exhibition of 1851, reflect the grandeur and opulence of the theatre. Despite the play being a profanation of Shakespeare's work, it was a common practice during the Christmas pantomime season. The irreverent and selfish treatment of great poets was a price they paid for their enduring popularity. This photograph offers a glimpse into the theatrical world of the past, showcasing the unique blend of Shakespeare and pantomime that entertained audiences in the mid-19th century.
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