[NEohioPAL]Berko preview: Canadian Shaw & Shakespeare Festivals

[Roy Berko]

SHAW AND SHAKESPEARE FESTIVALS BECKON

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

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


John Simon, the legendary drama reviewer of New York
Magazine, stated in his 2004 Shaw Festival review that
is was  “The best repertory theater on the entire
continent.”  Based on their most recent offerings, I’d
have to agree.  Not far behind would be the Stratford
Festival of Canada.  

It may seem like spring and summer are a long way off,
but Shaw and Shakespeare, the two Canadian theatrical
venues, have announced their season offerings.  It
might be a good time for you to think “go north” for a
spring, summer or fall vacation that includes
attending one or both of these theatres as ticket
sales are generally brisk and many of these theatres’
shows sell out before the season opens.  This is
especially true on weekends.

THE SHAW FESTIVAL

The Shaw Festival is conducted in three 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. 
Once you arrive, you will be entranced by the lovely
city.  It is called the most beautiful city in Canada,
and it is!  Lovely flowers, classical home
architecture and inviting well-stocked shops make for
an inviting experience.

Jackie Maxwell, Shaw’s creative Artistic Director, has
described the 2005 season as, “Stories galore that
will provoke, intoxicate, move and delight.”  The
offerings, which run from April 1 through November 27
include: ‘YOU NEVER CAN TELL,’ ‘THE CONSTANT WIFE,’
‘GYPSY,’ ‘JOURNEY’S END,’ ‘HAPPY END,’ ‘MAJOR
BARBARA,’ ‘SOMETHING ON THE SIDE,’ ‘THE AUTUMN
GARDEN,’ ‘BUS STOP,’ AND BELLE MORAL.’

Besides the plays themselves, the Festival includes a
reading series, Sunday coffee concerts, a Village Fair
and Fete, seminars, backstage tours, pre-show chats,
Tuesday Questions and Answers and Saturday
Conversations.

The area itself is filled with activities ranging from
a golf course within the city limits; an art park
(www.artpark.net); The Good Earth Cooking School
(www.goodearthcooking.com); the Jordan Village, a
diverse blending of fine shopping, dining and antique
treasures (www.jordanvillage.com); an international
chamber music festival (www.niagramusicfest.com);
learning vacations at Niagara College
(www.niagaralearning vacations.com); bike paths; and
you can zoom into the whirlpool of the Niagara river
on a jet boat. 

The Niagara area is dotted with wineries, many of
which, besides offering wine tastings and sales,  have
fine dining restaurants.  The best of these, at least
on our last visit, was Hillebrand Estates Winery.   

There are some wonderful restaurants including my
favorites, The Inn on the Twenty
(www.innonthetwenty.com), located in historic Jordan
Village about forty minutes from Niagara-on-the-Lake
and the Queenston Heights Restaurant
(www.queenstonheights.com).  The latter is located in
a park just over the US-Canadian border, the facility
has a breathtaking view of the Niagara River gorge. 

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  (www.abbotsfordbandb.com) to be our
home away-from-home.  Owner Margaret Currie is a total
delight.  Her breakfasts are scrumptious, she keeps an
immaculate home,  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, a brochure, lodging
suggestions or tickets call 800-511-7429 or go on-line
to www.shawfest.com.  Ask about packages that include
lodging, meals and tickets.  Also be aware that the
festival offers Sunday night specials, day-of-the-show
rush tickets and senior matinee prices. 

Tired of waiting for a casino in Cleveland?  For those
so-inclined, Niagara Falls has a brand-new gambling
casino.  An added attraction is the new Niagara
Fallsview Casino Resort which features 3,000 slot
machines, 150 gaming tables and overlooks the
thunderous cascading water.  There is also a large
outlet store complex for the bargain shopper.  And, of
course, not to be overlooked are the attractions
connected to the magnificent falls.


THE STRATFORD FESTIVAL OF CANADA

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

Stratford productions, which are done in four
theatres, run from April 19 through November 5.  
Shows include:  ‘THE TEMPEST,’ ‘HELLO DOLLY,’ ‘AS YOU
LIKE IT,’ ‘THE LARK,’ ‘CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF,’ ‘FALLEN
ANGELS,’ ‘INTO THE WOODS,’ ‘THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV,’
‘WINGFIELD’S INFERNO,’ ‘ORPHEUS DESCENDING,’  ‘MEASURE
FOR MEASURE,’ ‘THE DONNELLYS:  STICKS AND STONES,’
‘THE MEASURE OF LOVE,’ ‘RUTH DRAPER ON TOUR,’ and
‘EDWARD II.’

Besides the regularly scheduled plays the Festival
offers public readings, Monday night music, a
Celebrated Writers Series, buffet lunch and dinner
table talks, special lectures, stageside chats,
backstage and costume warehouse tours, and garden
tours.  Special offerings include “The Making of a
Musical,” “Canada Play Day,” and “Saints and Sinners: 
Religion and Morality.”  A series of events and
activities for the entire family including song and
dance workshops, dress rehearsals with the actors and
a “Fall Fairy Tales” storytelling day are also on the
docket. 

What’s the lodging like?  Hotels, motels and bed and
breakfasts abound to fit any wallet.  I enjoy the B&Bs
where you get to meet local people who operate the
facilities and fellow travelers from around the world.
 My favorite is “The Jennie Forbes Cottage” a charming
regency cottage erected in 1857
(www.jennieforbescottagebb.com).  Owners Don and Kathy
Spiers are wonderful hosts.  

As for shopping, I 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 and high quality, try The
Annex Room (38 Albert Street).    For a relaxed and
fairly inexpensive breakfast treat try Demetre’s
Family Eatery (1100 Ontario Street).  Cleveland
theatrical legends Dorothy and Reuben Silver 
recommend The Waterlot Restaurant and Inn (17 Huron
Street behind the Royal Bank)  in New Hamburg, which
is about 20 minutes away “and well worth the
trip.”(www.waterlot.com)  Also on their favorites list
is The Keystone Alley Cafe (34 Brunswick Street) in
Stratford (www.keystonealley.com) which has an outdoor
patio.  

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.

Been to the festivals in the past?  Then you know the
joy of being in a country of warm and hospitable
people and the quality of the offerings.  If you 
haven’t ventured before, you might want to consider
these cultural and recreational areas.

Helpful hint:  To make your border passing easier
carry some official form of identification (passport,
or driver’s license with a picture).



=====
Roy Berko's web page can be found at www.royberko.info.  His theatre and dance reviews appear on NeOHIOpal, an on-line source.   To subscribe to this free service via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.fredsternfeld.com/mailman/listinfo/neohiopal.


		
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