Bass-baritone Darcy Carroll steps into the comedic role of Sir John Falstaff for Lyster Opera’s vibrant new production of The Merry Wives of Windsor on Saturday, 18 October at 2pm at Milawa Hall.
In Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, Sir John Falstaff attempts to swindle two wealthy, married women by seducing them but with the help of their husbands and friends, the wives play a trick in the woods to put Falstaff's mischief to an end.
Darcy described the character of Falstaff as “hedonistic and fat, perpetually drunk and broke”.
“The cunning old knight is larger than life, both literally and figuratively, and there's a lot of flexibility and freedom in a character like that to just muck about and be playful,” he said.
“As an old, grotesque, and very unfit knight who was once revered and admired, Falstaff has a very complex, specific physicality that I try to inhabit.
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“He's a lumbering drunkard, but there is a stale air of nobility that is still lingering in him from the old days.
“Beyond that, I just try to focus on having as much fun as possible.”
The cast have been rehearsing once a week for a few hours.
Darcy said it has been a fun challenge developing the character within a relatively extended overall timeline.
“Above all else, this opera does not take itself seriously, and I love that about it," he said.
“It's joyful and entertaining, and the music is great too.
“This is my first time working with Lyster Opera.
“I really appreciate the company's commitment to making opera approachable and accessible to more people.
“The productions are compact and no-frills affairs, so the audience can focus on the story and the performers.”
Darcy said the humour and themes of the production connect to a modern context.
“As a retelling of a classic Shakespearean story, I believe the humour and themes of this work can be as relevant and engaging today,” he said.
“People haven't really changed after all, even hundreds of years later.
“We all still misbehave in exactly the same way.
“I really just hope that audiences are entertained, happy and hungry for more opera.”
To secure your seat, visit https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1404247.
