“Love Island” and “The Bachelor” may not immediately come to mind when discussing William Shakespeare’s plays, but “The Merry Wives of Windsor” includes many of the same ingredients — seduction, jealousy, schemes, and greed — that make it a must-see.
“People on reality TV aren’t that different than people in the 1600s,” said Belmont resident Justin Schindler, who plays Abraham Slender in the Belmont Dramatic Club’s upcoming performance of the comedy. “When you’re watching [“Merry Wives”], you feel like you’re watching an episode of ‘Real Housewives.’”
“It is, definitely, a fun play,” said Rucha Londhe, who is co-directing the show with Renee Walsh. “There are things [in “Merry Wives”] that are still so relatable” even after 400 years.
According to the Royal Shakespeare Company, the comedy was first published in 1602, though it is believed to have been written sometime before 1597.
Fenton declares his love to Mistress Anne Page. (Mina Rose Morales/Belmont Voice) 
One of the gentlemen living at Windsor wearing his disguise. (Mina Rose Morales/Belmont Voice) 
Slender courts Mistress Anne Page. (Mina Rose Morales/Belmont Voice) 
Henry Kettel as Shallow, Martin Tallett as Sir Hugh Evans, and Justin Schindler as Slender in “The Merry Wives of Windsor.” (Mina Rose Morales/Belmont Voice) 
A love letter from Falstaff, read by Mistress Page. (Mina Rose Morales/Belmont Voice) 
Rosella Aluia as Mistress Ford and Ed Rozmiarek as Sir John Falstaff. (Mina Rose Morales/ Belmont Voice)
The plot centers around Sir John Falstaff, who gets more than he bargained for when he decides to restore his fortunes by seducing the wives of two wealthy Windsor men, according to the famed British theater organization.
Londhe said the Belmont Dramatic Club has 20 actors for the 18 roles and that the upcoming version will use Shakespeare’s original script, but take place in a modern-day small town in the United States.
“I think it’s a great way to update things and show more relatability,” said Schindler.
Caring for community theater
The Belmont Dramatic Club, an all-volunteer organization founded in 1903, is the second-oldest continuously operating and performing community theater group in the country, according to the nonprofit.
According to Londhe, the club’s longevity is the most significant evidence of how important art is in people’s lives.
Actors, tech crew, and people helping other departments “literally come from all over,” said Londhe, who lives in Lexington. “What brings us together is a love for theater.”
Everyone from lawyers, teachers, and retirees to authors, students, and more volunteer to make each play a reality.
“That is the beauty of community theater,” she said.
Schindler said acting with the Belmont Dramatic Club allows him to tell stories and have fun working with other creative people.
“You make a lot of great friends,” he said.
More information
Performances of “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” by William Shakespeare, will be held at Belmont Town Hall, 455 Concord Ave. on the following dates:
- Saturday, Nov. 1 at 8 p.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 2 at 2 p.m.
- Friday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 8 at 8 p.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit belmontdramaticclub.org/
The Belmont Dramatic Club’s next performance will be “Boeing Boeing,” by Marc Camoletti. Auditions are scheduled for Dec. 2 and 4. Performances will take place on April 18, 19, 25, and 26, 2026.
