Australian Shakespeare Company’s annual comedy in the Botanic Gardens has been reliably enjoyable Melbourne summer entertainment for more than three decades.

This year, instead of the usual surefire winners such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Much Ado About Nothing, the company interprets one of the Bard’s less familiar works with their usual outdoor, approachable style.

More consistently broad than Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, The Merry Wives of Windsor has plenty of his usual funny fuel including duplicity and disguise. Director and ASC founder Glenn Elston knows how to milk it – making this production’s slightly uncertain beginning uncharacteristic – as does the cast.

Anna Burgess, Claire Duncan and Elizabeth Brennan in The Merry Wives of Windsor. Photo © Ben Fon

The play is named for the two wealthy women Sir John Falstaff attempts to woo simultaneously. Margaret Page and Alice Ford join forces against this man with a large appetite but little money or charm, plunging him into one ridiculous situation after another.

Adding to the absurdity is Alice’s jealous husband, Frank Ford, her daughter Anne’s multiple suitors, and servant Mistress Quickly on the take with everyone.

Typical of ASC productions, the...