Monday 7th - Saturday 12th July 2008

The 2008 Production is Shakespeare's comedy, "All's Well That End's Well ", directed by Christine Partington.

All’s Well That Ends Well’ is based on William Painter's English translation of Giovanni Boccaccio's story in his ‘Decameron’ (1353), titled ‘The Palace of Pleasures’ (1575). Boccacio’s ‘Decameron’ is known for its bawdy tales of love.

The Victorians considered it a ‘problem play’, much of the plot being unacceptable to them, including the ‘bed trick’ and lengthy discussion about virginity. A review of the production at Sadler's Wells in 1852, stated: "The rude nature of its plot has banished this play, notwithstanding some fine poetry, from the modern stage" According to George Bernard Shaw, Victorian audiences were not ready for the character of Helena, a role he described as "too genuine and beautiful and modern for the public".

The main theme of this comedy is of Helena’s fairy-tale story of incredible challenges and effort to trap Bertram, the man whose love she yearns for, into accepting her as his wife. Helena is not desired by Bertram; his mother's companion and the daughter of a physician; she is too lowly born for him, but the poor lady idolises him. Helena follows Bertram to Florence where he is making amorous advances to Diana.

Bertram’s companion, Parolles, is one of the most popular characters in Shakespeare’s plays. His antics and disposition being similar to Falstaff in ‘Henry IV Pt 1’ and like Falstaff, he is ambushed by his so-called friends. He pretends to be a great soldier when he is nothing of the sort, with amusing consequences...

"Entrancing and enchanting. Our first but definitely not the last. Congratulations to everyone involved, and thanks." - Roger and Marcia Wood.

Hazelbury Manor, Box, Nr Bath