Downie Street South
Stratford, Ontario, Canada
Phone: 519-271-6376
Fax: 519-271-0682
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The Swan Diary
The Winter's Tale
Once again Marti Maraden has proven that she can direct Shakespeare better than anyone! The Winter's Tale, starring Ben Carlson, Yanna McIntosh and Seana McKenna elevates a strong supporting cast. Marti Maraden's clean, bare bones staging and perfect blocking direct the audience's attention to the words, words which are beautifully spoken by all. The Winter's Tale is one of my favourite Shakespeare plays but is not staged at Stratford very often. Ben Carlson is brilliant as the jealous husband and King, Leontes. Yanna McIntosh is extremely convincing as his faithful wife, accused of adultry with his best friend played by Dan Chameroy. Seana McKenna works her magic as both the confidante of the King and supporter of his disowned wife. The Bohemian costuming is creative and colourful. This production is very different from the last one which I also enjoyed. I just don't understand why this play is not mounted more often. It has everything -- love, lust, jealousy, revenge, retribution, repentance and forgiveness and just a touch of humour.
Posted on Jul 29, 2010 - 10:10 am
Brian Dennehy & 2011 Season
Brian Dennehy & 2011 Season
My dreams are coming true! One of my all time favourite actors, Brian Dennehy is returing next year playing Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night. We'll also get to enjoy his work in The Homecoming with another all time fave, Stephen Quimette.
Other titles for next year:
The Merry Wives of Windsor
Richard III - Seana McKenna as the Man himself
Camelot
The Grapes of Wrath
The Misanthrope - with Brian Bedford
Hosanna - Michel Tremblay
Jesus Christ Superstar
The Little Years - a new Canadian work
Titus Andronicus
So that's it so far...
Lots of the greats back in addition to those mentioned above :Geraint Wyn Davies, Ben Carlson, Chilina Kennedy, Paul Nolan, Tom Rooney, Janet Wright. I'm getting excited already! check www.stratfordshakespearefestival.com for more information.
Posted on Jun 28, 2010 - 2:55 pm
Surrealism and Shakespeare?
Surrealism and Shakespeare?
What do they have in common? Everything this time! Designer Debra Hanson chose the 1920's and its avante-garde painters as inspiration for her design work on this years' production of As You Like It. I've seen "As You" countless times and never much cared for it but this one is different. Des McAnuff directs a hand-picked cast of both young talent and seasoned actors such as the charismatic Brent Carver and funny lady Lucy Peacock to round out a brilliant cast including one of my new faves, Ben Carlson, as Touchstone. It seems that he can play just about anyone and anything as evidenced by last years' Caesar, Earnest and, before that, Hamlet. Brent Carver, as Jaques, commands the stage in every scene. "As You" often loses and confuses audiences with its overwhelming number of characters, names and connections. Des McAnuff's staging manages to keep the characters nicely delineated allowing the story to move along at a good clip. Des McAnuff has certainly found his directorial niche in comedy. There are at least half a dozen uproariously funny scenes. Even if you've seen "As You" one too many times you may just be surprised by this one.
Posted on Jun 7, 2010 - 4:46 pm
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