Thoughts on the Stratford Festival/Shaw
Festival 2014 Seasons
By David Grapes – Arts
Journalist
March 1, 2014
Theatre patrons, who are
passionate about quality theatre here in the U.S., should consider a trip North
across the Canadian border into Ontario and spend some serious time exploring
North America’s two largest theatre festivals – The Stratford Shakespeare
Festival and The Shaw Festival. The American dollar appears to have stabilized
against the Canadian dollar, so the entertainment value when compared to the
costs of theatre tickets for Broadway ($150+ average) or in London is high. And
if you search the web, there are some excellent airfare deals for the upcoming
summer into Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson airport for about $500.00 to $700.00
from most major US airports. Rental cars are readily available at the Toronto
airport. (Try Hotwire.com for the best airport rental rates) Driving time from
the airport to either of the two festivals is less than two hours on four lane
highways. Remember – Passports are now REQUIRED for any border crossing!
The Shaw Festival
Located in historic Niagara
on the Lake (30 miles North of Buffalo 120 Miles South of Toronto) along the
beautiful Lake Ontario shoreline The Shaw Festival is the only theatre in the
world that specializes exclusively in plays by George Bernard Shaw and his
contemporaries. During the last three decades, under the artful and highly
creative leadership of Christopher Newton and Jackie Maxwell, the Shaw not only
earned a reputation for innovative programming, stunning visuals, but also
become home to one of the finest acting ensembles in North America.
Director Jackie Maxwell, who
just announced her retirement at the end of the 2016 season, continues to
produce excellent work as she explores the Festival’s expanded artistic mandate,
which now includes newer Broadway musicals (Cabaret) and modern classics (The
Philadelphia Story) in addition to the work of Shaw and his contemporaries.
While many large theatres have struggled in the post 2008 sluggish economy,
Maxwell, now in her 12th year as Artistic Director, continues to balance
the books, fill four theatres with 800 performances each season and
entertain an audience that totaled 300,000 people each year.
As the Shaw Festival celebrates its 54rd
season this year, audiences will be in for some real treats including: a large production
of the popular American musical Cabaret featuring Shaw favorite Debra Hay who
returns from a stint at the Stratford Festival), Moya O’Connell in Phillip
Barry’s romantic masterpiece The Philadelphia Story, an all world production of
Sean O’Casey masterwork Juno and the Paycock featuring Jim Mezon, Corrine Koslo
and Mary Haney, two Shaw comedies The Philanderer and Arms and The Man, and a production of The
Charity that Began at Home: A Comedy for Philanthropists which will complete St.
John Hankin’s cycle of plays entitled, Three Plays with Happy Endings. The Shaw produced Hankin’s The
Return of the Prodigal in (2001/2)
and The Cassilis Engagement in
(2007).
Another
exciting development over the past few years has been addition of an intimate
fourth performance venue – The Studio Theatre (which will seat 176 patrons).
The new facility has hosted such diverse productions as John Osborne’s The
Entertainer starring Benedict Campbell, Caryl Churchill’s provocative contemporary play Serious Money, When the Rains
Stops Falling, Topdog/Underdog, Helen’s Necklace and last years SRO megahit
production of Tom Stoppard’s little theatrical gem Arcadia. This year’s
production will be The Mountaintop by African American playwright Katori Hall.
SHAW SEASON AT A GLANCE
Festival Theatre
Cabaret – April 10 to October 26
The Philadelphia Story – May
15 to October 25
The Philanderer – June 26 to
October 12
Royal George Theatre
Arms and The Man – April 4 to
October 18
When We Are Married – May 7
to October 26
Juno and the Paycock – June 28
to October 12
Court House Theatre
The Charity that Began at
Home: A Comedy for Philanthropists – April 25 to October 11
The Sea – June 1 to October
12
A Lovely Sunday for Creve
Coeur – June 28 to October 11
Studio Theatre
The Mountaintop – July 16 to
September 7
David’s Recommendations for the 2014 Season
Debra Hay and Juan Chioran
in Cabaret (Directed by Peter Hinton)
J. B. Priestley’s When We
Are Married (Directed by (Joseph Ziegler)
Tennessee Williams’ One-act
A Lovey Sunday for Creve Coeur
Jim Mezon, Corrine Koslo and
Mary Haney in Juno and the Paycock (Directed by Jackie Maxwell)
Arms and the Man (Directed
by Morris Panych)
The Charity that Began at
Home: A Comedy for Philanthropists (Directed by Christopher Newton)
ALSO OF INTEREST AT OR NEAR THE SHAW FESTIVAL
Contemporary Play Reading
Series
Educational Seminars,
Workshops and Symposiums
Summer Camps
Teacher Days
Niagara Falls
Old Fort Erie/ Old Fort
Niagara
Wine country excursions
Lake activities
PLAY INFORMATION
Tickets prices range from
$24.00 can (student matinees) to $113.00 can (weekends and openings)
Rush seats are available day of show
$30 rate for patrons under 30 years of age at any theatre
There are also excellent student discounts ($29) senior
rates ($40) and group rates available
BOX OFFICE
1-800-511-7429 (SHAW)
ACCOMODATIONS
NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE
CHAMBER of COMMERCE RESERVATION SERVICE (CCA) 905-468-1950. In the Court House on Queen Street, Box 1043,
Niagara-on-the-Lake L0S 1J0. www.niagaraonthelake.com
Reservation service for 1700 plus rooms, representing every hotel
and a collection of approved inns, cottages and bed-and-breakfast homes. For a
quality experience, let our trained specialists help you select CCA (Chamber of
Commerce Approved) accommodation. All price ranges represented.
NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE
BED and BREAKFAST ASSOCIATION (BBA)
905-468-0123 or 1-866-855-0123. Box 1228, Niagara-on-the-Lake L0S 1J0. www.bba.notl.on.ca Members
are identified by BBA in the listings. Call or visit our website for a free
availability search or to book online. We maintain high standards and adhere to
a code of ethics. Book with a member.
ABOUT
HISTORIC BED and BREAKFASTS IN OLD TOWN CENTRE www.historicbb.com
These private homes, built before 1850, are within 4 short blocks of a theatre,
dining and shops. Visit our website or contact the following homes in the Bed
and Breakfast section: Adam Lockhart’s Storrington House, Annette Twining
House, Apple Tree Bed and Breakfast, Barrett Cottage, B&B’s “Pacific”,
Blaney House, Burns House, Davy House, Regent House, The Rogers-Harrison House,
Royal Manor, Saltbox 1820 Cottage, Schoolmaster’s House. Open year-round.
Central air. Full breakfasts. Private parking. Smoke-free. All rooms have
private ensuite bathrooms. $100-$195.
ACCOMMODATION
ALTERNATIVES NIAGARA www.accommodationalternativesniagara.com
A fine selection of licensed cottages, apartments and homes in Niagara,
suitable to those who prefer privacy and self-catering accommodations. Nightly
from $120, weekly from $750.
Check this BLOG in August for reviews of
many of the 2014 Shaw Festival productions.
The Stratford Festival
Located in the bucolic hills
of Southern Ontario in the working class town of Stratford, The Stratford
Festival has grown from its humble beginnings in 1953 (two Shakespearean plays
produced in a tent) to one of the largest and most respected theatre festivals
in the world. Now under the capable leadership of Antoni Cimolino, who rocked
critics and audiences alike with his Mary Stuart last season, the Festival
seems poised for a period of artistic innovation not seen since the heyday of
Robin Phillips.
Having completed of a 50
million dollar capital and endowment drive, long time patrons now enjoy
improvements at all four of the Festival’s theatre venues, upgraded electronic
services, and enhanced production quality on stage. Exciting indeed has been the addition of a
fourth stage known as the Studio Theatre located above the Avon Theatre. This
small flexible space, which opened four years ago, is now home to new work by
Canadian playwrights, workshops, productions, and for the first time in its
short history – Shakespeare. However,
the Studio Theatre only seats 260 patrons, so if you want to see a popular
production in the Studio Theatre, you need to purchase your tickets well in
advance.
Variety has always been a
hallmark of the Stratford Festival, where works by Shakespeare, Marlowe,
Moliere and Ibsen share the stage with Broadway musicals and the comedies of
Noel Coward. Thanks to Director Cimolino Shakespeare will again dominate the
large Festival Stage along with a large American musical and a period classic. The
remainder of the 62 nd season will feature another American musical (Man
of La Mancha) on the Avon Stage while Classics like King John, Antony and
Cleopatra and Mother Courage and Her Children takes up residence at the Tom
Patterson. And in other good news the Festival’s highly popular Forum Series
will return again this summer.
There are many things to be
excited about for the 62nd anniversary season including the return of Colm
Feore to star in King Lear, another all star cast for The Beaux’ Stratagem
under the direction of Cimolino, the return of Chilina Kennedy in Crazy for You
and Man of La Mancha, Lucy Peacock as Judith Bliss in Hay Fever, Geraint Wyn
Davies as King John and a Martha Henry production of Mother Courage and Her
Children at the Tom Patterson starring Seana McKenna.
While the US dollar has
fluctuated in recent years against the Canadian dollar, this trip remains an
outstanding value. And the US dollar has shown some renewed this past year. With
Broadway prices soaring to $150-$300+ a ticket, it is hard to imagine that you
could get more “bang for your entertainment buck” anywhere in the world than in
Ontario, Canada.
STRATFORD SEASON AT A GLANCE
Festival Theatre
King Lear – May 5 to October
10
Crazy For you – May 27 to
October 12
A Midsummer Night’s Dream -
May 16 to October 11
The Beaux’ Stratagem – July
31 to October 11
Avon Theatre
Man of La Mancha – May 8 to
October 11
Alice Through The Looking
Glass – April 30 to October 12
Hay Fever – May 28 to
October 11
Tom Patterson Theatre
King John - May 21 to September
20
Mother Courage and Her
Children – May 15 to September 21
Antony and Cleopatra - August
3 to September 20
Studio Theatre
Christina – The Girl King – July
29 to September 21
Stratford Masonic Concert
Hall
A Midsummer Night’s Dream –
A Chamber Play July 11 to September 20
David’s Recommendations for the 2014 Season
King Lear and The Beaux’ Stratagem
(directed by Antoni Cimolino)
Antony and
Cleopatra (starring Geraint Wyn Davies)
King John (starring Tom McCamus)
King John (starring Tom McCamus)
Mother Courage and Her
Children (starring Seana McKenna) (directed by Martha Henry)
Hay Fever (starring Lucy Peacock)
ALSO OF INTEREST AT STRATFORD
Forum Events
Family Series Events
Stageside Chats
Festival Tours
Celebrated Writers Series
Night Music – Special
concerts each Monday evening June to August in the Festival Theatre
A wide assortment of
classes, workshops, special events.
PLAY INFORMATION
www.stratfordfestival.ca
TICKET PRICES
Ticket prices range from
$20.00 to $135.00 (Canadian $)
Rush seats are available day of show
There are also excellent student discounts and group rates
available
BOX OFFICE
1-800-567-1600
ACCOMODATIONS
1-800-567-1600
I recommend the Swan Motel
(Downie Street South)
E-mail: info@swanmotel.ca
http://www.swanmotel.ca
Watch this space in August for reviews of many of the 2014 Stratford Shakespeare Festival productions.
Watch this space in August for reviews of many of the 2014 Stratford Shakespeare Festival productions.
David Grapes has been a theatre producer/director/actor/playwright/educator and freelance theatre and performing arts journalist for nearly forty years. He holds a BA in Theatre from Glenville State College and an MFA in Acting/Directing from the University on North Carolina at Greensboro. You can also find his theatre news and reviews on Twitter @davidgrapes and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheatreNewsandReviews
