[NEohioPAL] Berko: Stratford Festival, a season for Celebration

Roy Berko royberko at gmail.com
Thu Jul 25 12:36:08 PDT 2013


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*Stratford Festival, a season for Celebration*



Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association and Cleveland Critics Circle)

On July 13, 1953, Sir Alec Guiness walked onto a stage located in a large
tent in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, and spoke the first lines of what has
become the internationally-recognized celebration of theatre known as The
Stratford Festival.  Now housed in five theatres, offering plays and other
entertainment from late April to November, it is the largest repertoire
theatre in North America. The theatrical offerings are not only the
writings of Shakespeare, but a variety of classical and contemporary works,
including musicals.



This season, the first under Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino, is dubbed,
“the season to explore.”  The mission is for the audience to experience a
number of plays that complement and reflect on each other.  An added
attraction is The Forum, “a series of special events and activities ranging
from concerts to comedy nights, from talks to debates to film screenings
and play readings.”



Having just returned from the Festival, I offer these capsule judgments of
some of the shows on the Stratford schedule:



MARY STUART—*MARY STUART is classical theatre at its finest.  Seeing this
production is an experience which no theatre-goer should miss out on!  Bravo
to the director, cast and technical staff!*



THE THREE MUSKETEERS—*THE THREE MUSKETEERS is a melodramatic delight filled
with swashbuckling action, farcical interludes, and bigger than life
characters.   It tells the triumphant tale of good winning out over evil.  The
production should delight those who want to escape the real world and live
out the fantasies of days gone by.*



WAITING FOR GODOT—*As illustrated by the curtain call to WAITING FOR GODOT,
this is a love-it or hate-it experience.  While half of the sold-out
audience was on its feet shouting, “Bravo,” the remainder were passively
sitting in their seats, shaking their heads in confused wonder.*



FIDDLER ON THE ROOF—* Those who are unfamiliar with real Eastern European
Yiddish/Jewish traditions, will find Shaw’s FIDDLER ON THE ROOF to be an
acceptable, maybe even a delightful experience.  Those who know the customs
should be outraged by Feore’s tradition-light approach with her attempt to
make the woes *of Anatevka and the* annihilation of Eastern Europe Jewry,
into a universal story.*



MEASURE FOR MEASURE--*Shakespeare’s MEASURE FOR MEASURE gets a solid
production at the Stratford Festival.  Its message of mercy, justice and
their relationship to pride and humility is clearly etched.  Those who like
the Shakespearean style of writing and plot development should be pleased
with this staging.*

* *

TOMMY—*Stratford’s production of The Who’s TOMMY is outstanding.  The
music, staging and performances command the audience to watch and wraps
them in a theatrical experience that they will long remember, creating an
“Amazing Journey.”  Wow!*



For complete reviews of these shows go to:  http://www.royberko.info



Other shows on the Stratford schedule are:



ROMEO AND JULIET (May 1-October 19)-- Shakespeare’s tale of youthful
passion which dares to challenge generations of enmity in the most famous
love story ever told.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE--Shakespeare’s controversial look at intolerance and
the vengeance it provokes. (July 30-October 18)

BLITHE SPIRIT—Noel Coward’s tale of ghosts, second marriages, séances,
mischief and wit. (May 16-October 20)

OTHELLO—Shakespeare’s tragic tale of love, betrayal, vengeance and
relationship destruction.  (August 4-October 19)

TAKING SHAKESPEARE—John Murrell’s celebration of the power of words, and
the surprising power of the heart as an aging professor tutors the
university president’s floundering son.  (July 13-September 22).

THE THRILL—A love story in which a successful lawyer and fiery activist
take on a right-to-die movement celebrity with consequences that neither
has anticipated.  (July 28-September 22).



What’s the lodging like?  Hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts abound to
fit any wallet.  I like  to stay at bed and breakfasts where you get to
meet new people and share your views on the productions and life in
general. My favorite is the well placed Avery House (
http://www.averyhouse.com), which is under new and wonderful management
(John and Amanda) who create breakfasts to satisfy the desires of the
pickiest eater.



Hungry?  For moderate cost and high quality, try The Annex Cafe (38 Albert
Street) and the excellent Stratford Thai Cuisine (82 Wellington Street).  My
favorite is Rene’s (20 Wellington Street), a medium priced restaurant where
the chef-owner holds sway in the kitchen and Margaret greets you at the
door.



Packages can be arranged by www.theatrevacations.com.   Stratford Escapes (
theatrevacations.com), is an efficient way to make reservations.  For
individual tickets call 800-567-1600 or go on-line to
http://www.stratfordfestival.ca.



BTW…Stratford’s programs contain excellent clarifying messages about the
playwright or the play itself.  It’s worth getting to the theatre early to
read the material.



Helpful hints: The ride from Cleveland is about six hours through Buffalo.  Go
on-line to the festival for directions.  The routings offered by AAA and
Yahoo maps are confusing and miles longer.  To satisfy border requirements
carry your passport.  Nothing else will do.



*Go to Stratford, Canada!  Find out what lovely hosts Canadians are, and
see some great theatre!*

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