ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE THIS SUMMER
Writer Patrick Langston says summer theatre venues abound in Ontario, from the five below to others including Classic Theatre Festival in Perth (Broadway and London hits), the Blyth Festival in Blyth (Canadian works), and the big guns — the Stratford and
The pleasures of local theatres abound in Ontario
HUDSON VILLAGE THEATRE
28 rue Wharf, Hudson, Que.
HVT’s big show this summer is Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie, July 8-26: the theatre’s new artistic director Matthew Tiffin has snagged Martha Burns (television’s Slings and Arrows, the Stratford and Shaw festivals, and more) to play Amanda Wingfield, the faded southern belle with reality issues. Also on tap: Bingo Ladies, the Musical by Canadian writer Grant Tilly, Aug. 12-30; and Jake’s Gift, Julia Mackey’s wonderful solo show about a Second World War veteran and a young girl, Sept. 16-20. All shows are in Hudson’s handsome converted train station which still serves commuters. What else is there to do?: Hudson, celebrating its 150th anniversary, is big on antiques plus arts and crafts shops. On Saturdays, Finnegan’s Market boasts everything from fruits and vegetables to antiques and dried flowers. For food, try Mademoiselle Clifford’s Floral Emporium & Tea Room (more than 100 different teas), Carambola tapas restaurant and bistro (bring your own wine) or Mon Village steakhouse. You can picnic and swim at Sandy Beach.
How far is it?: About an hour and a half via Hwy. 417 (but prettier along Hwy. 17).
Information: 450-458-5361, villagetheatre.ca
ODYSSEY THEATRE
Strathcona Park, Ottawa
Ground zero for terrific physical theatre, eyeball-grabbing masks and brilliant costumes, Odyssey celebrates its 30th anniversary with a trio of translated Spanish one-act plays about the extremes to which we go for love. Running from July 23 to Aug. 23 are The Things We Do For Love, based on a chapter of Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote, Federico Garcia Lorca’s The Love of Don Perlimplin and Belisa in the Garden, and the English world premiere of Tirso de Molina’s Whether You Like It or Not. Bonus: Odyssey has once again cooked up an optional deal with nearby Le Cordon Bleu culinary school to provide pre-show picnics (Strathcona Park next to the Rideau River is a dandy picnic site).
What else is there to do?: If you’re talking about other outdoor summer theatre in Ottawa, A Company of Fools, much-loved for its puckish approach to Shakespeare, presents The Comedy of Errors in parks around the city July 2-Aug. 15 (fools.ca). Also in parks from July 3-26: Shakespeare’s The Tempest courtesy of Bear & Co. (bearandcompany.com).
Information: (Odyssey Theatre): 613-232-8407, odysseytheatre.ca
ST. LAWRENCE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
Prescott, Ont.
Another purveyor of fine outdoor theatre, the festival this year presents Romeo and Juliet and The Comedy of Errors. The former, a classic crossed-lovers story if there ever was one, is directed by Ottawa’s veteran of theatre Janet Irwin. The latter, all farcical comedy, confused identities and word play, is directed by the festival’s new artistic director Rona Waddington whose no-nonsense production of Hamlet in 2013 was a treat and won her the best director award from Capital Critics Circle. The festival mounts both shows July 18-Aug. 22 in an amphitheatre with the St. Lawrence River and Prescott’s marina as a backdrop to the stage. What else is there to do?: Founded in 1810, Prescott boasts historic walking tours as well as the Fort Wellington National Historic Site with guided tours by costumed interpreters. Kelly’s Beach near Centennial Park in the west end of town offers swimming. Prescott is also a short drive from historic Brockville with its small-town Ontario flavour and its tour-worthy mansion Fulford Place.
How far is it from Ottawa?: About an hour down Hwy. 416.
Information: 613-925-5788, stlawrenceshakespeare.ca
4TH LINE THEATRE
779 Zion Line, Millbrook, Ont.
Heists, both monetary and spiritual, are this summer’s themes on the outdoor stage at Winslow Farm in Millbrook, Peterborough County. Alex Poch-Goldin’s The Bad Luck Bank Robbers (world premiere June 30-Aug. 1) recreates the brazen robbery of the Toronto Dominion bank in Havelock, Ont. on a late summer’s day in 1961 and the courtroom battle that followed the arrests of the robbers. The stolen $250,000 was never recovered. In August, a faith healing rally commandeers smalltown Ontario when the scurrilous Reverend Bobby Angel rolls in with his evangelical ministry in Gimme That Prime Time Religion. The satiric, multi-authored play with music runs Aug. 10-29.
What else is there to do?: 4th Line Theatre hosts pre-show barbecues on Tuesdays, theatre-related workshops on Wednesdays, and local food suppliers plus artist talks on Fridays. Picnic meals also available. Millbrook touts walking tours of historical buildings and nature trails. Peterborough and the Kawarthas are awash in paddling opportunities, parks and trails, and garden tours plus free concerts at Peterborough Musicfest.
How far is it from Ottawa?: About three-and-a-half hours via Hwy. 7.
Information: 1-800-814-0055, 4thlinetheatre.on.ca
UPPER CANADA PLAYHOUSE
12320 County Rd., Morrisburg, Ont.
Light summer fare that’s well-produced and crowd-pleasing is the name of the game at Upper Canada Playhouse which has been operating since 1983. This summer season includes a comedic look at small-town weddings in Mark Crawford’s Stag and Doe running until July 5; Hilda’s Yard, a new play about family life circa 1956 by Canada’s perennially popular Norm Foster (July 9-Aug. 2); and, from Aug. 6-30, Derek Benfield’s romantic comedy Touch and Go. Ottawa theatre-goers will recognize names like Colleen Sutton and Zach Council on Playhouse cast lists. Shows at Upper Canada Playhouse (a former toothbrush and sock factory) continue until Christmas.
What else is there to do?: Upper Canada Village is 10 minutes away, and Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary, a treasure trove of nature trails and wildlife, is just 15-minutes distant. A series of 15 murals in Morrisburg, Iroquois and elsewhere illustrate the history of South Dundas before the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959 (stlawrencepiks.com/murals lists mural locations).
How far is it from Ottawa?: Just over an hour via Hwy. 416.
Information: 1-877-550-3650, uppercanadaplayhouse.com