[NEohioPAL]Berko: Fall a great time to go to Canada's Shaw and Shakespeare

[Roy Berko]

A GREAT TIME OF YEAR TO GO TO CANADIAN THEATRE

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	


Late summer and early fall are wonderful times to
travel to Canada.  As the weather changes, the leaves
color, fall farm produce is available, the exchange
rate is favorable for US citizens, stores and
restaurants are less crowded, and the Shaw and
Shakespeare productions are still in full force.

THE STRATFORD FESTIVAL OF CANADA

The Stratford Festival of Canada takes place in
Stratford, Ontario, Canada.   The ride to Stratford
from Cleveland is about six hours through Buffalo.   
Go on-line to the festival to get directions.  (I
found the directions offered by both the AAA and Yahoo
maps to be confusing and miles longer.) 

Productions run through November 9.   Fall offerings
include: ‘THE TAMING OF THE SHREW,’ ‘THE KING AND I,’
‘PERICLES,’ ‘LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST,’ ‘GIGI,’ ‘THE
HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME,’ ‘PRESENT LAUGHTER.’   The
headlines of my previous reviews were:   ‘KING AND I’
SUMPTUOUS; ‘GIGI’ IS AUDIENCE PLEASING BUT
MISDIRECTED; ‘PERICLES’ TRIUMPHS!;  ‘THE HUNCHBACK OF
NOTRE DAME’ RINGS WRONG BELLS.  Shows carrying over
only in September are: ‘ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA,’ ‘THE
BIRDS,’ ‘’TROILUS AND CRESSIDA,’ ‘QUIET IN THE LAND,’
and ‘AGAMEMNON.’  Of these, on my late June visit I
only saw ‘ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA’ which I found boring. 


What’s the lodging like?  I stayed at The Victorian
Inn, which bills itself as "a place to rejuvenate your
family and revel in the richness desired." I found it
little more than an older Holiday Inn.  By the way,
don’t spend the extra money to get a room with a view.
Our additional investment garnered a view of the
parking lot.  I’d opt for one of the many bed and
breakfasts.  Sorry, I can’t recommend a specific
choice as it’s been years since we stayed at one.  

As for shopping, I strongly recommend Davis Canadian
Arts (106 Ontario Street).  This is a wonderful art
gallery that offers Canadian traditional and
contemporary sculptures, ceramics and paintings.  For
women’s quality clothing make sure to stop at The
Touchmark Shop (137 Ontario Street).  The
establishment offers unique and one-of-a kind products
at excellent prices.  

Hungry?  For moderate cost, high quality, try The
Annex Room (38 Albert Street).    For a slightly
higher priced meal Bentley’s, a sister to The Annex,
is good.  I had a very negative dining experience at
Carters on Downie.  My expensive halibut main course
consisted of a fish stick-sized piece of fish and four
asparagus spears.  It’s lunch portions at upscale
dinner prices.  And, unlike most Canadian restaurants,
the service was poor.  For a relaxed and fairly
inexpensive breakfast treat try Demetre’s Family
Eatery (1100 Ontario Street)..  

Stratford Escapes, a division of Niagara Falls Tours,
is an efficient way to make reservations.  For
information call 877-356-6385 or go on line to
www.niagarafallstours.com.  For individual tickets
call 800-567-1600 or go on-line to
www.stratfordfestival.ca.

THE SHAW FESTIVAL

The Shaw Festival is conducted in three lovely
theatres in Niagara on the Lake, Ontario, Canada, an
easy four-hour trip from Cleveland.  You travel
through the wine countries of Ohio, New York and
Canada enroute.

Productions run through November 30.  September
through the end of season productions include: ‘THE
ROYAL FAMILY,’ ‘THE CORONATION VOYAGE’, THE PLOUGH AND
THE STARS,’ ‘BLOOD RELATIONS,’ ‘AFTERPLAY,’
‘MISALLIANCE,’ ‘DIANA OF DOBSON’S,’ ‘HAPPY END,’
‘WIDOWERS’ HOUSES,’ and ‘ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY.’ 
Of those that I saw, I’d strongly recommend ‘THE
CORONATION VOYAGE,’ ‘AFTERPLAY,’ ‘DIANA OF DOBSON’S,’
and ‘WIDOWERS’ HOUSE.’

The Niagara area is dotted with wineries, many of
which, besides offering wine tastings and sales, have
restaurants .  I have, in general, been disappointed
in the winery restaurants with the exception of Inn on
the Twenty, located in historic Jordan Village
(www.innonthetwenty.com), about forty minutes from
Niagara-on-the-Lake..  This ranks as one of my
favorite restaurants in the world.  The service is
always wonderful, the facility is beautiful, the
gardens behind the facility lovely, and the food is
outstanding!    This is a "must go-to."

Also on the must do list is eating at The Queenston
Heights Restaurant.  Located in a park just over the
Canadian line, the facility has a breathtaking view of
the Niagara River gorge.  I’ve been there a dozen
times and never had a meal that was anything less than
outstanding.  Try and get seated at one of Christine’s
tables.  She’s a total delight and a wonderful server.
 

Disappointing for dinner was Epicurean, which is
excellent for lunch.  Service was poor and the dollar
for value quotient weak.   Fans Court Chinese
Restaurant (135 Queen Street) is a much better buy. 
It  has a very pleasant outdoor patio and the food is
nice.  Try the fruit chicken dish for a different
taste treat.

Greaves Jams and Marmalades is famous for its products
since 1927.  A Niagara tradition is the Maple Leaf
Fudge store.  Also, don’t miss out on the several
stores that sell yogurt which is blended before your
eyes with Niagara fresh fruits.

The area has many excellent hotels and
bed-and-breakfasts.  We have found Abbotsford House
Bed and Breakfast  to be our home-away-from-home. 
Owner Margaret Currie is a total delight.  Her
breakfasts are scrumptious, she gives a new meaning to
the word "clean," and the antiques and decorations are
impeccable.  Return guests are the rule here.  For
reservations and/or information call 905-468-4646 or e
mail AbbotsfordBandB.com.

For theatre information, lodging suggestions or
tickets call 800-511-7429 or go on-line to
www.shawfest.com.  Ask about packages that include
lodging, meal and tickets.  Also be aware that the
festival offers Sunday night specials, rush tickets
and senior matinee prices. 

For those so-inclined, Niagara Falls has an excellent
gambling casino and there is a very large outlet store
complex besides being able to take in the attractions
connected to the magnificent falls.

This is a wonderful time of year to travel to our
neighbor to the north.  Friendly people, good value
and wonderful theatre awaits you.


__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software
http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com