Merry Wives Of Windsor in Reading Abbey Ruins

A Shakespeare play put on in a day!

Shakespeare Unstaged® was inspired by the diary of a manager at an Elizabethan theatre, which revealed that a company of actors might have put on forty plays in a year. And that these had to be rehearsed in a matter of days. In 2026, Shakespeare Unstaged® and Theatre Deli bring you Shakespeare's original comedy cycle from quarto, rehearsing and performing one play in one day each time.

Shakespeare Unstaged presents Merry Wives of Windsor, a riotous comedy with the notorious Sir John Falstaff, rehearsed and performed in one day to raise funds for Theatre Deli.

Award-winning registered charity Theatre Deli has been a driving force within the arts, taking over empty spaces in city centres and creating hubs that support emerging artists, companies and communities whose identities, backgrounds, disciplines or work are underrepresented in theatre. All proceeds of tickets sales will be donated to Theatre Deli.

Merry Wives of Windsor will be directed by Emily Jenkins of Shakespeare’s Globe.

Bring a picnic to this open air show on the Dormitory Lawn in Reading Abbey Ruins.

Shakespeare Unstaged is brought to you by the production team behind 60 Hour Shakespeare and Secret Shakespeare.

Reviews of 60 Hour Shakespeare:

‘I saw a piece of Theatrical bravura on Monday – a wonderful production of Hamlet, rehearsed and put together over just one weekend. The strong sense of movement created a special dynamic – you felt that almost anything could happen’ - Susan Creed, Henley Standard

‘The use of language was brilliant, and the performances throughout were spirited and in turns both hilarious and moving.’ - Ali de Souza, Head of Drama Performance, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama