A SHAKESPEAREAN comedy filled with practical jokes, slapstick and farce is being advertised around Richmond with a series of posters linking the play’s text to local businesses.

Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society (RADS) is preparing for its upcoming production of Shakespeare’s Merry Wives of Windsor at the Georgian Theatre Royal later this month.

Publicity officer Darryl Pointer has created a number of posters using Shakespeare’s text to put up around the town, many using a play on words in the hope that residents will want to find out more about the event.

Mr Pointer said: “We are performing the Royal Shakespeare Company version of the play, which is set in the 1920s and starts with a cricket match and concludes with the UK entry for the Eurovision Song Contest.

“Our poster campaign uses quotes from the play and about Shakespeare. For instance we have put up a poster in the town’s Wetherspoons pub which reads: “Oi Shakespeare, yer bard!” referencing the medieval word for a poet or storyteller.

“There are 12 different posters in all and we challenge Richmond residents to find them all – and hopefully feel inspired to come along to our play.”

Mr Pointer said the play is lead by strong female characters, which was unusual for the period, and it is they who get the last laugh.

He added: “We have had such good fun in rehearsals and can’t wait to perform it at the Georgian later this month.”

The Merry Wives of Windsor, directed by RADS member Gary Winn, will run from July 23 to 25, and from July 31 to August 1 at the Georgian Theatre Royal in Victoria Road.

For tickets, priced £6.50 to £12.50, visit www.georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk or call the box office on 01748-825252.