"As good luck would have it," the Sun Valley Shakespeare Festival is warming up and the world is our oyster. The highly quotable "The Merry Wives of Windsor" is currently in rehearsal.
The plot of this comedy includes the classic Shakespearean themes of blackmail, disguise, mistaken identity and buffoonery. This production is set in the 1950s, with an aging, overweight Falstaff and a pair of suburban housewives. It plays Aug. 25 through 28 and Sept. 1 through 4 in the outdoor venue in Ketchum's Forest Service Park.
The Festival also sponsors an apprentice program, as well as a four-week intensive Shakespeare Studio that is currently running through Aug. 21 for high school and college-aged students. It culminates in a student showcase of Shakespearean pieces on Friday, Aug. 19, at the nexStage Theatre.
As well, the SVSF is continuing the highly successful Renaissance Faire launched two years ago, with the festivities from 11:30 to 7 p.m., Saturday Aug. 20, from and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, at the Sun Valley Festival Meadow between Ketchum and Sun Valley.
The Faire this year presents jousting exhibitions by the Renaissance Jousting Troupe, a "Punch and Judy" puppet show and Renaissance scenes including "The Four Lovers" from Shakespearean works and "Robin Hood and His Merry Men."
An array of vendors offering tasty sweetmeats and medieval delights will be on hand along with invited artisans. This family weekend celebrates the life and times of Shakespeare with medieval combat, music, dance, juggling, children's arts and crafts all made possible by volunteer Renaissance enthusiasts and many Idaho community groups.
A parade immediately prior to the opening of the Faire at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20, will include all the Faire participants. At 11:30 a.m. the Renaissance King and Queen and the Mayors of Ketchum and Sun Valley kick off the Faire with an impromptu sketch, in full Renaissance garb.