When it comes to summer theatre, the offerings in Southern Ontario are great in number and quality. The Stratford Festival is, of course, the biggest and best classical theatre festival in the country, perhaps in North America. Shaw Festival is a close second. But there are many theatres offering up top quality stage fare in scenic environs throughout Southern Ontario from Port Hope in the east to Blyth in the southwest. Herewith, a snapshot of some of the fine productions on offer this season.
The Blyth Festival in sleepy Blyth, Ont., three hours from Toronto, focuses on works that are culturally relevant to southwestern Ontario. This year’s highlights include season opener Seeds, which involves a court case between farmers and Monsanto, as well as The Wilberforce Hotel, by Sean Dixon, who has a habit of making the history of the region relevant and vastly entertaining, www.blythfestival.com. There current season also includes acclaimed man of marionettes Ronnie Burkett and his work Edna Rural’s Church Supper as well as Mary’s Wedding and Fury.
To the east, the Port Hope Festival Theatre, 75 minutes east of Toronto, takes over the historic Capitol Theatre for the summer season, presenting a well-rounded slate of productions, including one straight from Toronto. Running July 15 to 31, The Dining Room is presented by our own Soulpepper Theatre Company. The season also includes a couple of musicals: Shout! The Mod Musical and Singin' In The Rain
Port Dover is more than just that town in which bikers congregate on Friday the 13th each summer. It’s also home to the Lighthouse Theatre, offering up cheery Canadian theatre since 1980. This season includes summer theatre stalwart Norm Foster’s One Moment, opening July 8. Other productions rounding out the summer season include romantic comedy Same Time, Next Year as well as Beauty and the Beast, The Ghost Island Light and The Judy Garland Story
The pretty-as-punch Huron Country Playhouse near the beach town of Grand Bend on Lake Huron, three hours west of Toronto, has long been a go-to for summer theatre enthusiasts who like a little sand near their stage. This season sees a full slate of fun musicians including Chicago, Footloose and the season closing Legends … of Rock 'n' Roll. Located in the same facility, Playhouse II offers up Last Chance Romance and Snow White: The Panto
Located on the almost-hip north shore of Lake Erie in a town sure to charm to socks off each and every city slicker who makes the trek to Elgin County, the Port Stanley Festival Theatre features Hilda’s Yard by Norm Foster, perennial summer theatre favourite The Drawer Boy by Michael Healey as well as Old Wives' Tale and Real Estate. Love the theatre, stay for the perch dinner
Other fine summer theatres worth a gander include the St. Jacobs Playhouse, the Drayton Festival Theatre, and the Victoria Playhouse in Petrolia amongst many others. For a full rundown go to summertheatre.ca.
