Marc2b
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Stratford Report.
Got back yesterday from my annual jaunt to Stratford, Ontario.
The Plays.
All were excellent, as in usual for Stratford (only twice, over the years have I ever been disappointed). First up was A Mid-Summer Night's Dream. At the start of the play they borroed a line from Shakespeare's sonnets: "Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments." This was clearly the theme adopted for the play as it presented a cast truly mixed in race, gender, sexuality and even disability as some characters were presented as disabled. One character, Hermia's father, signed while someone else translated. Stephen Ouimett was Bottom (the man has absolutely perfect comedic timing) and Chick Reid excelled as Puck. The show was stolen, however, by Evan Buliung as Titania. He camped it up just enough without going overboard to imbue the character with hubris and pathos and a good dose of charm.
The Festival also presented a Chamber version of Midsummer Night's Dream which I would have liked to seen for comparison but, alas, scheduling did not allow for it. It is doubly disappointing because The Chamber Play has Dion Johnstone who is one of my favorite actors at Stratford. I did get to see him as the March Hare in the next play we saw which was Alice Through the Looking Glass. You definitely had to bring out the kid in you because this one was definitely for the kids (at one point, little parachutes with candy attached came down from the ceiling! I got one!). The stage craft and the choreography at Stafford are usually excellent but here it was revved up. Characters were running around or riding bicycles or weird contraptions that looked like they came out of a Doctor Seuss book - sometimes all at the same time. Brian Tree (another favorite Stafford Actor) was fantastic as Humpty Dumpty.
King Lear: Colm Feore. 'nuff said. Wait . . . no it is not. Stephen Ouimette as the Fool. 'nuff said. Wait. Evan Buliung - who I had just seen as Titania the night before - was Edgar. Completely different character, completely different performance but just as compelling.
Man of La Mancha: This was the first time I had ever seen this particular play and it was just fucking awesome. When Robin Hutton sang The Impossible Dream toward the end, it brought tears to my eyes.
King John: One of Shakespeare's lesser known plays but one of his more entertaining ones in my opinion. It was good to see Graham Abbey back at Stratford. He is another Stafford alum who can hand both drama and comedy with equal skill. It is always a privilege to watch Seana McKenna.
Antony and Cleopatra: another first time play for me. Very fast paced and energetic. Geraint Wyn Davies aptly portrayed a Mark Anthony torn between duty and lust (which he mistakes for love). Yanna Mcintosh did the dame for Cleopatra. Much of the time, however, my eyes were on Stratford newcomer Ijeoma Emesowum (don't ask me how to pronounce it - it took me a half an hour just to spell it) as one of Cleopatra's attendants. A naturally regal beauty (she should definitely be in line to play Cleopatra in any future productions) who spent much of the play in a very skimpy outfit. I mean a very skimpy outfit! I mean god damn that woman is hot!
The Restaurants.
We are both of the sort who prefer to have our dinner after the late play. Who wants to be busy digesting and burping while watching a play? Lot's of people, apparently because we are part of a distinct minority. Most of Stratford's restaurant's are closed when the late play gets out. In years past it was our habit to go to Crabby Joe's, one of the few still serving dinners after 11pm. Crabby Joe's had noticeably declined in recent years and this year we discovered it was closed with a sign proclaiming "changes coming soon." I hope so.
In the mean time we needed a new late night haunt and that turned out to be the Boar's Head. It's okay. Not Awesome but nothing to turn your nose up at. Apparently Evan Buliung likes their food because he came in after playing in King Lear for for a take out order of chicken wings (I presume that means he is a Canadian because if he was an American he'd know better). I admit a part of me was giddy enough to want to go up and talk to him but I figured the guy just got out of work and probably wanted to get his (shitty) chicken wings and go home.
Friday night we didn't have a late play so we ate at the Old Prune. Now this place is gourmet, this place is classy. Dinner at the Prune has been a "must do" for the last few years and will be again next year. Service seemed a little slow, even by gourmet restaurant standards. I'm hoping it was just an off night and not a continuing problem.
For earlier in the day we usually did brunches though sometime we did them late enough to qualify as lunches. Mercer Hall is a recent favorite and we did that twice. We also did Fellini's. Very good Italian food. The last morning before driving home it is our tradition to have breakfast at Features. I always have the eggs Benedict which are always awesome.
Canadian Money.
Slipperier than it used to be. Why the hell would anyone want to print slippery money?
Canadians.
Still a bunch of suicidal psycho drivers with delusions of superiority and a total inability to make decent chicken wings - but other than that they remain okay.
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