Pepysian Celebration Weekend: Open Air Theatre

"...I dined at home, and after dinner I went to the new Theatre and there I saw “The Merry Wives of Windsor” acted, the humours of the country gentleman and the French doctor very well done..."

The diary of Samuel Pepys, Wednesday 5 December 1660

2024 marks 300 years since the Pepys Library arrived at Magdalene College. To celebrate this milestone anniversary we are delighted to announce that we will be hosting a special weekend of events for alumni and their guests to attend.

A huge lover of the theatre, Samuel Pepys often wrote in his diary of the performances he had seen. As such, we are delighted to announce that on Sunday 15th September there will be a special open air theatre performance of William Shakespeare's 'The Merry Wives of Windsor'  in the Fellows' Garden, performed by acclaimed touring theatre group 'The Pantaloons'. 

Sir John Falstaff, everyone’s favourite Shakespearean anti-hero, has fallen on hard times. In order to fix his finances he plans to seduce the wives of two wealthy merchants. But, wise to his wily ways, the ladies take the opportunity to punish Falstaff by playing a series of hilarious tricks on the foolish knight.

Expect silly slapstick, abundant anachronisms and memorable music nestled amongst Shakespeare’s poignant poetry as the critically-acclaimed Pantaloons put their own innovative and interactive spin on this classic comedy.

Programme

• From 12.00pm: The Fellows' Garden will open. 
• 2.00pm: Performance to begin. Running time 2 hours.
• 4.30pm: Members and their guests to depart the College site.

Attendees are welcome to bring their own food and drink to the performance, and the Fellows' Garden will be open from 12.00pm for those who want to enjoy a picnic prior to the show. There will also be drinks and snacks available from our outside bar for card purchase on the day as well.

- Why not make a weekend of it? Did you know that as part of our Pepysian Celebration Weekend we are also hosting an fabulous 17th century inspired black-tie feast in Hall on Saturday 14th September (with over night accommodation available in College). Click here for more information.

Cost

Tickets are £15 per person. Members are welcome to bring friends and family.

All profits from this event will go to to support the Pepys Restoration Project.

* Please note, that while the performance is suitable for well-behaved children we ask that parents/guardians are considerate of other theatregoers. Parents/guardians must supervise children at all times and should note that the Fellows' Garden has open river frontage. Unlike our Family Day (which will return in 2025!) there will be no children's activities at this event.

Booking

To purchase tickets please complete the below form.

Information for attendees

• Please note that this event is 'open air' - aka outdoors! There is limited shelter in the Fellows' Garden, and as such please dress appropriately for the weather.
• Attendees are encouraged to bring their own fold up chairs and picnic blankets to sit on. Gazebos or tents are not permitted.
• Attendees are welcome to bring their own food and drink to enjoy prior to and during the show. The Fellows' Garden will be open from midday.
• In the case of wet weather, the performance will be cancelled/stopped should the conditions become genuinely unsafe. If the performance area has begun to flood or if there is a lightning storm we will cancel/stop the performance. The performance will continue in light to medium rain. In heavy/torrential rain downpours we will halt the show before continuing when the downpour has stopped. This is due to the fact that the show will not be audible in heavy rain! If the heavy rain is persistent (which is surprisingly rare) then the performers may make the call to stop the show entirely. If the show is cancelled before it begins or is stopped before the interval then we will offer refunds. 

For full terms and conditions relating to our events, please visit our Alumni Events - Guidance and Information page.

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