The Pantaloons' Merry Wives of Windsor in Norwich review

As a touring English theatre company used to performing in the open air, it was no surprise that the small cast of The Pantaloons managed to fill the theatre with singing and sniggers on Monday night.

For one night only, the acting troupe told the tale of the dastardly Sir John Falstaff, who decides to fix his money worries by seducing the wives of two wealthy merchants.

The wives, who are friends, discover that he sent them identical letters and decide to take revenge by playing tricks on Falstaff when he comes calling - including throwing him into the River Wensum.

The staging was simple, just dotted with props and instruments (Image: Newsquest) With the help of their husbands and friends, the wives play one last trick in the woods to put Falstaff's mischief to an end.

Never before have I seen a show that mentions Jarrolds, twerking and a zebra print carpet in the same sentence.

There was a healthy dose of audience participation from the start, with the actors asking the audience to build some of the show's plot for the night.

While this can sometimes be awkward, the crowd was on top form and the show ended up being set in The Bootiful Zebra pub, which specialises in karaoke, axe throwing and is the home to Polly the Dog - all references woven throughout the show.

Any reference to Ipswich (of which there were many) got loud boos.

The Pantaloons presents: The Merry Wives of Windsor (Image: The Pantaloons) In typical Pantaloon style, the show was broken up with songs that helped fill the gaps in the plot for the audience. The tunes were so catchy that the gentleman sitting in the row behind me couldn't help but join in.

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The comedy was reactive and fast, with each cast member listening in from backstage to pick up running jokes throughout the show - despite only having moments for costume changes backstage.

My only criticism is that it overran hugely - probably due to the hefty heckling from the Norwich crowd - and ran for just under three hours, with some people ducking out before that point.

However, this is a cast that is quick and witty, a play as unbelievable as it is funny, and a night of theatre that I will remember for a long time to come.