According to legend, William Shakespeare was commanded by Queen Elizabeth to write a play about Sir John Falstaff in love. The catch was that it had to be written within fourteen days. To write a play and rehearse it in two weeks flat, does seem a tall an order, even for that fast-writing genius, Will Shakespeare, and his talented company. But it makes for a good story! The result was "The Merry Wives of Windsor". The first performance is reputed to have been in the Palace of Westminster on St George's Day, 23 April - and Shakespeare's own birthday. When his mate, Ben Jonson comes to give Will a hand, things are looking up, but when all his boy apprentices go down with the measles, things look black. Who will play the women's parts? The resourceful Ben entices some local wives, in great secrecy, to take on these parts. To add to the confusion, the local priest brings in a bevy of children to sing, a jealous husband tries to unmask his erring wife, local bailiffs chase Will for his overdue rates, and a bear-keeper is searching for his lost bear. The play finally goes on despite the chaos, but will the Queen see through the deception? The play turns out to be a success, but there's a big surprise in store for Will.