Stage Door News
Stage Door News
August 8, 2013… The Stratford Festival is in full swing with all 12 productions now on stage. The Forum continues with great gusto in August, with the third and final “Forum Foray” beginning this Friday. This supercharged week full of panel discussions, comedy nights and talks by A-list guests runs August 9 through 18.
The Festival is delighted to host the Lafontaine-Baldwin Symposium from August 9-10. The Festival has partnered with the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) to present three unique events that offer Festival goers a chance to connect with Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul over their passion for Canadian citizenship. The event features Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who will deliver this year’s lecture.
Other Forum highlights include: a talk by Stephen Lewis, former Canadian ambassador to the United Nations and UN special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, on Disability, Disillusion and Self-Discovery; a panel discussion on Writing About the Right to Die, with playwright and lighting designer Itai Erdal, author Zoe Fitzgerald Carter and playwright Judith Thompson; and The Power of Women / Women in Power, a panel discussion with author, playwright and activist Susan G. Cole, scholar Margaret Jane Kidnie and poet and novelist Jane Urquhart.
The Foray also includes How to Disappear Completely, Itai Erdal’s award-winning solo work; A Night of Improv with Paul Bates, Christy Bruce, Colin Mochrie and Teresa Pavlinek; a talk by one of the world’s foremost Shakespeare scholars, Stanley Wells, Honorary President, Life Trustee and former Chairman of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, on Sex and Love in Verona, Venice and Vienna; Beckett: Longing and Belonging, a look at the themes of identity and belonging in Samuel Beckett’s work by Sean Kennedy of St. Mary’s University; and Othello vs Otello, an exploration of the character of Othello in the two masterpieces with Verdi aficionado John Zaretti, Othello director Chris Abraham, tenor Van Abrahams and actor Dion Johnstone.
Also of note: Barbara Budd with Stories of Significant Stangers… and Others; Faith and Religion in Shakespeare’s Plays; a screening of Budrus; Alex Bulmer: The Insight of Blindness; Who Chooseth Me: Psychoanalysis and Shakespeare; Late Night with Lucy; a panel discussion with Artistic Directors Antoni Cimolino, Jackie Maxwell and Peter Hinton; a conversation between Richard Ouzounian and Brian Dennehy; and The Foreign Exchange, with Donna-Michelle St. Bernard.
The week’s schedule of events includes:
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9
“Adopting” One’s Culture with Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul
Part of the LaFontaine-Baldwin Symposium, August 9-10
The Church Restaurant, 70 Brunswick Street, at 5:30 p.m.
Enjoy an exquisite dinner at one of Stratford’s finest restaurants among an intimate crowd as Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul lead a candid conversation about contemporary Canadian culture and identity with three special guests: award-winning playwright Tara Beagan, acclaimed actor Graham Greene and esteemed writer Thomas King.
Admission: $140 (dinner and drinks included).
Late Night with Lucy – Back by popular demand!
Studio Theatre, August 9 and 23, at 11:30 p.m.
Join Lucy Peacock for her second series of after-hours cabarets with special guest performers from the acting company and from behind the scenes.
Admission: $25.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 10
11th LaFontaine-Baldwin Symposium: First Nations and the Future of Canadian Citizenship
Avon Theatre, 99 Downie Street, at 10 a.m.
The Stratford Festival and the Institute for Canadian Citizenship are delighted to present Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, at the eleventh LaFontaine-Baldwin Symposium. National Chief Atleo will explore Canadian citizenship, responsibility and belonging as they relate to Canadian identity and our continued efforts at nation building. Moderated by John Ralston Saul, the lecture will also feature an audience question period.
Admission: $20.
The ICC’s LaFontaine-Baldwin Symposium is a signature event showcasing leading Canadian and international thinkers on the issues of citizenship, democracy, civic engagement and pluralism – the public good.
This event will be available via Livestream: http://new.livestream.com/stratfordfestival.
Diaspora Dining* - SOLD OUT
Part of the LaFontaine-Baldwin Symposium, August 9-10
Festival Theatre, 55 Queen Street, at noon
Following the Symposium, join National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul for round table discussions on the ideas presented in the lecture while enjoying food from Stratford’s diverse local restaurants.
Admission: $45.
*To get the full Symposium experience, we recommend Diaspora Dining attendees also purchase a ticket to the lecture because National Chief Atleo’s address will be the basis of the roundtable discussions.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 11
Who Chooseth Me: Psychoanalysis and Shakespeare
Festival Theatre lobby at 11 a.m.
Psychoanalyst Mavis Himes speaks with Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino about the insights psychoanalysis can bring to The Merchant of Venice.
Admission: Free.
How to Disappear Completely
Studio Theatre, August 11, 15 and 17, at 2 p.m.
Itai Erdal’s award-winning solo work demonstrates his approach to theatrical lighting while also reflecting on the events that followed his mother asking him to take her life. Surprisingly funny, incredibly personal, this unique show continues to tour internationally.
Produced by The Chop Theatre.
Admission: $25
The Foreign Exchange, with Donna-Michelle St. Bernard
University of Waterloo Stratford Campus, 125 St. Patrick Street, at 5:30 p.m.
What if we really got to know each other? What if you could ask anything without judgment or offence? We think you can. The Foreign Exchange facilitates candid conversation, bringing you together with a panel of representatives from multiple diverse cultures in a performance-work that ignites complicated real-time conversations in the tenuous territory of race and culture.
Originally developed by the Foreign Exchange Ministry for the SummerWorks Festival.
Admission: $10.
This event will be available via Livestream: http://new.livestream.com/stratfordfestival.
MONDAY, AUGUST 12
Night Music: Larry’s Jazz Guys
Festival Theatre lobby, at 7:30 p.m.
With Larry Larson, David Martin (trombone), Paul Shilton (piano) and Dave Campion (drums). Drinks and light refreshments available from the Lobby Café.
Admission: $22 in advance, $25 at the door.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 13
Star Talks
Tom Patterson Theatre at approximately 5 p.m.
Toronto Star theatre critic Richard Ouzounian interviews Brian Dennehy following the matinée performance of Waiting for Godot.
Admission: Free.
(This Star Talk is open only to patrons attending the performance.)
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14
Beckett: Longing and Belonging
Festival Theatre Lobby at 11 a.m.
Sean Kennedy of St. Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, looks at the themes of identity and belonging in the Samuel Beckett’s work, particularly Waiting for Godot.
Admission: Free.
Budrus
University of Waterloo, Stratford Campus, 125 St. Patrick Street, at 2 p.m.
A screening of the award-winning documentary about a Palestinian community organizer who united Fatah and Hamas members with Israeli supporters to save his village from destruction. Includes a post-screening chat with producer Ronit Avni.
Admission: $20.
Barbara Budd with Stories of Significant Strangers… and Others
Festival Theatre lobby at 5:15 p.m.
Award-winning actor and broadcaster Barbara Budd spent two decades as co-host of As It Happens sharing stories with a worldwide audience on CBC radio and American public radio. Presenting two Canadian short stories that wittily capture this year’s theme of the outsider and community, she is joined by Anna Atkinson.
Admission: $10.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 15
Faith and Religion in Shakespeare's Plays
Tom Patterson Theatre from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
In this special Talking Theatre event, Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino talks to Paul Edmondson, Head of Knowledge and Research at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. Rev. Dr. Edmondson was ordained as a priest in 2011.
Admission: Free.
Writing About the Right to Die
Studio Theatre at 10:30 a.m.
Panel discussion with playwright and lighting designer Itai Erdal (How to Disappear Completely), author Zoe FitzGerald Carter (Imperfect Endings) and playwright Judith Thompson (The Thrill). Moderator: Alex Bulmer.
Admission: $10.
This event will be available via Livestream: http://new.livestream.com/stratfordfestival.
A Night of Improv
Studio Theatre at 11 p.m.
Four of Canada’s best improvisers, Paul Bates, Christy Bruce, Colin Mochrie and Teresa Pavlinek, take the stage to improvise scenes based on audience suggestions that resonate with themes of this season’s playbill. Hosted by Joanne O’Sullivan.
Admission: $25.
*May contain mature content and language*
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16
Othello vs Otello
Festival Theatre lobby at 10:30 a.m.
An exploration of the character of Othello in the two masterpieces with Verdi aficionado John Zaretti of the Verdi Opera Theatre of Michigan and Othello director Chris Abraham, and performances by tenor Van Abrahams and actor Dion Johnstone.
Admission: $20.
Stanley Wells: Sex and Love in Verona, Venice and Vienna
Studio Theatre at 5 p.m.
A talk by Stanley Wells, Honorary President, Life Trustee and former Chairman of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
Admission: $20.
This event will be available via Livestream: http://new.livestream.com/stratfordfestival.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17
Stephen Lewis: Disability, Disillusion and Self-Discovery
Avon Theatre at 10 a.m.
A talk by Stephen Lewis, former Canadian ambassador to the United Nations and UN special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa. He is currently the Board Chair of the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
Admission: $20.
This event will be available via Livestream: http://new.livestream.com/stratfordfestival.
Alex Bulmer: The Insight of Blindness
University of Waterloo, Stratford Campus, 125 St. Patrick Street, at 5:30 p.m.
Canadian-born writer and theatre artist Alex Bulmer, now based in the U.K., shares her experience creating disabled-led art after losing her sight. Her work includes Breathe, a multidisciplinary performance piece that opened the sailing events at the London Olympics.
Admission: $10.
This event will be available via Livestream: http://new.livestream.com/stratfordfestival.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 18
What’s Past Is Prologue: Classical Theatre in Our Times
Studio Theatre at 10:30 a.m.
Artistic directors Antoni Cimolino, Jackie Maxwell (Shaw Festival) and Peter Hinton (recently of the National Arts Centre) with moderator David Prosser.
Admission: $10.
This event will be available via Livestream: http://new.livestream.com/stratfordfestival.
The Power of Women / Women in Power
University of Waterloo Stratford Campus, 125 St. Patrick Street, at 5:30 p.m.
A panel discussion with author, playwright and activist Susan G. Cole, scholar Margaret Jane Kidnie and poet and novelist Jane Urquhart.
Admission: $10.
ONGOING FORUM ACTIVITIES
Table Talk
Paul D. Fleck Marquee, Festival Theatre, 11:30 a.m.
Buffet lunch followed by a talk on one of this season’s productions. Must book 48 hours in advance.
August 9: The Merchant of Venice led by Alan Somerset
August 13: Waiting for Godot led by James McCusker
August 25: Othello led by Ann Wilson
August 30: Romeo and Juliet led by Jane Freeman
Admission: $37.
Talking Theatre
Tom Patterson Theatre, Thursdays, July 4 to August 29, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino and Education Consultant Pat Quigley lead discussions on themes of the season.
August 1: The Need for the Other
August 8: Women as Stereotype
August 22: “Dying is fine, but death…”
August 29: Premonitions and the Supernatural
Admission: Free.
Tales Under the Tent
Festival Theatre grounds, Wednesdays, July 10 to August 21, at 1 p.m.
Gather under the tent for family fun! Stratford Public Library staff provide stories and activities related to the play on stage at the Festival Theatre that afternoon. Suitable for families with children ages 6 to 12. Cancelled in the event of rain.
Admission: Free.
Festival Exhibition
104 Downie Street, Wednesdays through Sundays, June 5 to October 20
Explore Present and Past Productions of Othello, Romeo and Juliet, Measure for Measure and The Merchant of Venice. A vast selection of costumes, props and artefacts from our Archives are displayed in a beautiful museum-style venue, with talks with Festival artists on:
August 24: Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino
Cost included in admission to the Exhibition.
Festival Theatre Tours
Festival Theatre, Wednesday to Sunday, June 5 to October 20, at 9:15 and 9:30 a.m.
Take this one-hour walking tour to see and hear about the magic of the theatre. Our knowledgeable guides will share stories and information about both the current and past seasons.
Admission: $8 per person; $6 students and seniors.
For tickets, contact the box office at 1.800.567.1600 or visit stratfordfestival.ca.
Through debates, talks, concerts, comedy nights, hands-on workshops and more, The Forum offers theatregoers more ways to discover and examine the themes running through this season’s productions.
Support for the inaugural season of The Forum is generously provided by Kelly and Michael Meighen and the Province of Ontario, in partnership with the University of Waterloo, with media sponsorship provided by The Walrus. Support for the Speakers Series is generously provided in memory of Dr. W. Philip Hayman.
The Festival’s new Toronto bus service, Stratford Direct, is now available twice daily on performance days for only $20 return. Reservations can be made through the box office.
Support for Stratford Direct is generously provided by The Peter Cundill Foundation.
The Stratford Festival’s 2013 season runs until October 20, featuring Romeo and Juliet, Fiddler on the Roof, The Three Musketeers, The Merchant of Venice, Tommy, Blithe Spirit, Othello, Measure for Measure, Mary Stuart, Waiting for Godot, Taking Shakespeare, and The Thrill, along with more than 150 events at The Forum.
Photo: Shawn A-in-chut Atleo. ©2010.
2013-08-08
Stratford: Lafontaine-Baldwin Symposium launches third “Forum Foray” August 9-10