2019 Shaw Festival Reviews

By David Grapes

Must See Productions:

Man and Superman with Don Juan in Hell **** Four Stars!

The “life force” flows with the powerful energy of the mighty Niagara River through this terrific production of Shaw’s masterwork Man and Superman @ShawTheatre. Gray Powell as Jack Tanner anchors the superb acting ensemble in the MUST SEE production of 2019.

Brigadoon **** Stars!

Director Glynis Leyshon’s production of Brigadoon @ShawTheatre has everything a great musical needs to entertain an audience. The design work is gorgeous, the voices powerful and clear, the dances breathtaking and the orchestration lush. Another MUST SEE for 2019.

The Glass Menagerie **** Stars!

The Glass Menagerie @ShawTheatre is a beautiful production full of laughter, truth, forgiveness and grace. Led by an exquisitely nuanced performance by Allegra Fulton as Amanda the entire cast shines like a piece Laura’s crystal in this familiar Williams classic.

The Russian Play **** Stars!

Hannah Moscovitch’s The Russian Play @ShawTheatre is an exhilarating mash up of Chekhov, Durang, Glass, and Pussy Riot. The comedy/drama runs dark and deep, the visuals and live music are emotionally evocative, and the ensemble performances beautifully grounded. **** 4 Stars!

Highly Recommended:

The Ladykillers ***1/2 Stars!

Based on the original Ealing Studios film, The Ladykillers @ShawTheatre is a delightfully wicked evening’s entertainment. Aided by a brilliant set design from Judith Bowden this farce is chock full of goofy characters, broad physical humor and marvelous sight gags

Sex *** 1/2 Stars!

Mae West’s B level script “Sex” gets an A level production @ShawTheatre via a provocative, gender bending and highly innovative production by Peter Hinton-Davis.

Getting Married *** Stars!

Shaw has a lot to say on the subject of Getting Married @ShawTheatre. And if you can get through the exposition heavy first act, there is a big payoff in act two with the entrance of the vivacious Marla McLean, who gives this production a much needed kick in the pants.

Not recommended:

Cyrano de Bergerac ** 1/2 Stars!

While serviceable Cyrano @ShawTheatre lacks the magic and poetry of the 82/83 Heath Lamberts production. One could blame the cramped George stage or odd casting choices, however, the real culprit is Henning’s new adaptation, which never illuminated the classic text.

Victory ** Stars!

Remove the profanity, sex and violence from Howard Barker’s provocative and controversial play Victory @ShawTheatre and I am afraid that the audience is left with the widow Bradshaw’s proverbial bag of bones. Great talent wasted on a play that simply doesn’t deserve it.

Rope * Star!

I knew I was in for a rough night at Rope @ShawTheatre when the program notes were much more interesting than the first act. Blame a melodramatic script by Patrick Hamilton and uninspired direction by Jani Lauzon that even the Shaw’s fine actors can’t bring to life.

Did Not See:

The Horse and His Boy – Ended

A Christmas Carol – November 13 to December 22, 2019

Holiday Inn – November 16 to December 22, 2019

Coming in February my preview of the 2020 Shaw Festival Season!

2019 Tickets and Information at: https://www.shawfest.com/

2019 Stratford Shakespeare Festival Reviews

By David Grapes

Must See Productions:

Little Shop of Horrors ! **** Stars!

While it may not have the audience draw of last season’s Rocky Horror, Little Shop of Horrors @stratfest gets another top drawer treatment from Donna Feore. A stunning performance from André Morin as Seymour, and the triple threat ensemble make this LIttle Shop a must see!

The Merry Wives of Windsor **** Stars!

Geraint Wyn Davies as Falstaff provides a tour de force lesson in comic timing in the @stratfest production of The Merry Wives of Windsor. @acimolino_sf 1950’s rock and roll concept is colorful, stylish, fun, and chock full of belly laughs.

The Front Page *** 1/2 Stars!

Canadian Playwright Michael Healey’s new adaptation of The Front Page @stratfest breathes new comic life and social/political relevance into a piece that sorely needs it. While the play may start slowly, it builds to a a crackling climax led by the marvelous Maev Beaty in a real star turn as Cookie Burns.

Birds of a Feather ***1/2 Stars.

There is nothing wrong with Birds of a Kind @stratfest that 30 minutes of script cuts would not fix. The characters are unique, the premise unusual and the message current and important. At 3 hours plus, the play is simply too long and too repetitive.

Private Lives *** Stars!

Private Lives @stratfest is undeniably funny. However, much of that humor comes not from Coward’s brilliant script but from physical business either created or endorsed by Director Perloff. Wyn Davies is a hoot but is it Coward? Does it matter if the audience is howling? *** Three Stars!

Highly Recommended:

Mother’s Daughter *** Stars!

Completing Kate Henning’s trilogy Mother’s Daughter @stratfest, we have the last case of the terrible Tudors. While Mary is the primary focus of this final play, Irene Poole, as she did in Henry VIII, dominates every scene she’s in as the now ghost Queen Katherine. *** Three Stars!

Henry VIII *** Stars!

There is much to admire in director Martha Henry’s production of Henry VIII @stratfest. The play is well spoken and expertly staged. However, while Jonathan Goad as Henry and Irene Poole as Queen Katherine electrify every scene in which they appear, Rod Beattie is embarrassing miscast as Cardinal Woolsey. I found him cartoonish, too modern in speech, and difficult to take seriously. I guess I missed hearing the voice of the late great William Hutt from 2004 production in my ear. Still I enjoyed the production and my evening spent in Henry’s court.

The Neverending Story *** Stars!

Books are never easy to adapt for the stage and Michael Ende’s 1984 surreal children’s novel The Neverending Story @stratfest is no exception. Short on drama and character development the play is long on social effects and features some beautiful puppetry work.

The Crucible *** Stars!

While there are undoubtedly some strong performances in this traditional Crucible @stratfest the real star of this production is playwright Miller himself. Yes, I wanted and expected more from Tim Campbell as John Proctor, however, the play’s themes language and poetry remain as powerful as ever.

Not Recommended:

Billy Elliot ** 1/2 Stars!

As much as I was predisposed to like Billy Elliot @stratfest I was never emotionally engaged by this production or the boy playing young Billy. I found it over produced, strangely under choreographed and I was constantly confused by the odd mix of acting styles.

Nathan the Wise ** 1/2 Stars! 

A Jewish parable more than a play, I found Nathan the Wise @stratfest too predictable for my taste. The characters tend toward stereotypes and the story plods along without any real conflict or suspense. Nothing really seems to be at stake for these people.

Othello **1/2 Stars!

There is a serious lack of passion and even less sexual chemistry on display in @stratfest contemporary Othello. I found it dark, ugly and without any majesty. Geordie Miller has a few nice moments as Iago but the same cannot be said for Michael Blake in the pivotal title role.

Coming this January/February my preview of the 2019 Stratford Shakespeare Festival season!

Tickets and Information at: www.stratfordfestival.ca

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