Plans for events in the next season seem to be announced earlier
and earlier every year. It used to be one did not know what
plays were to be produced until well into Spring. Before the
Shaw Festival productions at Niagara-on-the-Lake closed in 2009,
Artistic Director Jackie Maxwell envisioned a 2010 season
"infused with many facets of humour". And indeed it does
resonates with "wit, social commentary and relevance" assuring a
season of comedies and entertainment!
Shaw Festival 2010
At the Festival Theatre Bernard Shaw’s The Doctor’s
Dilemma is directed by Morris Panych and deals with
ethical medical issues that can be translated into to-days
terms: who to treat – a kind person who serves the poor - or a
talented unscrupulous artist? Are we possibly talking about
choices of patients for heart or kidney transplant or an
expensive experimental treatment?
An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde is another play both
entertaining and thought-provoking: when a husband behaves badly
should a wife stand by her man? In this play about infidelity
and life in politics, director Jackie Maxwell will have an
opportunity to show her talent.
The Women written by Clare Boothe Luce reveals what is
taking place behind the scenes of the high life among women,
their goals, decisions and schemes. It is about life hardly ever
seen by men and so familiar for women - and it is full of
outrageous humour.
Court House Theatre starts the season with Chekhov’s
The Cherry Orchard, a well-known play which offers many
possibilities of presentation and interpretation. Again, there
are choices to make: stay in blissful denial or make
life-altering decisions.
John Bull’s Other Island, a less known play of Bernard
Shaw, directed by Christopher Newton (it’s a special treat to
have him back!) is a comedy set in Ireland and very much making
fun of the English from the northern neighbour’s perspective.
Age of Arousal, written by Linda Griffiths and directed
by Jackie Maxwell, although set in 1885 London, deals with ideas
of women’s liberation, professions, earning and managing money
and the independent life.
At Royal George there are two plays and a lunchtime
comedy. Touch of Venus is a story of the ancient
goddess coming to life in Manhattan. The music of this comical
caper is by Kurt Weill and lyrics by Ogden Nash, so we can
predict a success, with fun and laughter.
Harvey, written by Mary Chase, is an invisible six-foot
rabbit. The play received the Pulitzer Prize and became famous
by James Stewart’s role in the 1950’s movie of the same title.
At Shaw Festival it will be directed by Joseph Ziegler,
presenting an opportunity to see his famous craft.
Half an Hour, a luncheon play poses a question: can life
change in half an hour? There were some other lunch plays
presenting such challenge, so we can look forward to this
version and laugh.
At Studio Theatre (second year in existence at the
Festival Theatre location): Serious Money, relates
very much to current events in this play written by Caryl
Churchill in telling the story of greed and the stock market
collapse in the 1980’s.
"Greed is all right. Greed is healthy. You can be greedy and
still feel good about yourself." Apparently nothing has changed
since then.
Shaw Festival 2010 Guide can be mailed to you by calling
Shaw Festival Box Office at 1-800-511-SHAW or by contacts listed
on the website www.shawfest.com.
The Guide also lists hotels, Bed & Breakfast, local restaurants
and other attractions.
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