[NEohioPAL] Berko: 2014 Stratford Festival season summary

[Roy Berko via NEohioPAL]

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Stratford Festival, a season of being pushed to the edge

Roy Berko

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

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

Having just returned from the Festival, I offer these capsule judgments of
some of the shows on this year’s theatre’s schedule:

“Man of La Mancha”— “Man of La Mancha” is an exceptionally well-conceived
and performed production of one of the American musical theatre’s great
scripts.  Short of having seen the original Broadway production (which was
breathtakingly effective), a viewing of this staging is a wonderful second
place and makes for an unforgettable theatrical experience?  Applause,
applause, applause!

“Crazy For You”-- “Crazy For You” is a total delight.  Anyone who loves the
fun and ridiculousness of an old time musical, complete with a marvelous
George and Ira Gershwin score, will have a wonderful time attending this
Stratford production.

“King John”-- “King John” is an impressive and compelling staging.  This is
not one of Shakespeare’s blood and guts plays but grabs and holds the
audience with language rather than action.  Since the script is not often
done, this is an excellent opportunity to gain exposure by seeing a fine
performance.

“King Lear”—“King Lear is a must see production.  Every aspect of the
staging works.

 “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”-- “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is one of
Shakespeare’s most delightful comedies.  Though the comic qualities were
high, the Stratford production was filled with needless gimmicks and
additions which added nothing to enhancing the basic script.  As evidenced
by our B&B table discussion, audiences are going to either love or hate
this production.

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

Other shows on the Stratford schedule which I did not attend are:

“The Beux’ Stratagem” by George Farquhar

“Alice Through the Looking-Glass” by Lewis Carroll, adapted for the stage
by             James Reaney

“Hay Fever’ by Noel Coward

“Mother Courage and Her Children” by Bertolt Brecht

“Anthony and Cleopatra” by William Shakespeare

“Christinea, The Girl King,” Michael Marc Bouchard

(For details about these scripts go to:  stratfordfestival.ca

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 views on the productions and life in general.  My
favorite is the well placed Avery House (http://www.averyhouse.com), which
is under the wonderful management  of John and Amanda who create breakfasts
to satisfy the desires of the pickiest eater and present a variety of
immaculate rooms to fit every taste. They also own Avery House Next Door,
which offers lodging but no meals.

Hungry?  For moderate cost and high quality, try 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.  Based on a bad experience
during our recent visit, in the future I will avoid The Keystone Alley
Cafe.  I was served a raw chicken breast.  A request to the seemingly
inexperienced waitress to tell the chef, received little attention.  No
owner, manager or the chef appeared to respond to the serving of
potentially dangerously prepared food.

Shopping?  The Touchmark Shop, 137 Ontario Street in downtown Stratford, is
my wife’s favorite store.  Canadian fashions.  Canadian-nice salespeople!

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 printed 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 hint: The ride from Cleveland is about six hours through Buffalo.
 To satisfy border requirements carry your passport.  Nothing else will do.

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



*Roy Berko is a member of The American Critics Association, Cleveland
Critics Circle and Dance Critics Association. He is a college professor and
author of thirty-one books. His reviews and commentaries can be found on
ArtsAmerica.org, BroadwayWorld.com, NEohioPAL, “The News Herald” and “The
Morning Journal,” CoolCleveland.com and on his popular blog,
http://RoyBerko.info <http://RoyBerko.info>. He was selected top
Editor/Reviewer in the Midwest for 2013 by
BroadwayWorld.com.•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• *
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