In The Merry Wives of Windsor, Shakespeare’s corrupt yet charismatic Sir John Falstaff plots to seduce two wealthy housewives in the hope of lining his pockets. Little does he know, they’re way ahead of the game and soon turn his alleged cunning against him. Shakespeare’s wit is on full display, and in this production—directed by the Globe’s artistic director, Sean Holmes—clever innuendos are used to emphasize the “feminist” edge of the play’s central women. Katherine Pearce and Emma Pallant star as Mistresses Ford and Mistress Page. —Jeanne Malle