Oh, my groundlings, we’re a bit thin on Speak the Speech this week – fewer opportunities to crack hazelnuts and interrupt actors than usual. The end of the month has new openings of Shakespeare as thin on the ground as the leaves are thick. What are we to do? No need to restage the dearth riots of the 1590s, please – no heaving cobblestones at your faithful scribe.
OPENINGS
The Tempest – Hart House Theatre (Toronto)
Leading off our reduced slate of openings is Hart House Theatre’s production of The Tempest, opening November 5 and running to November 22. Most weeks it runs Wednesday through Saturday at 8 PM, but there’s a matinée on the last Saturday. Tickets are Adults: $28 / Seniors: $17 / Students: $15. There are pre- and post-show chats with the artists at some performances, so check here for further information.
24th Havana Ballet Festival (Havana, of course)
This year’s Havana Ballet Festival, which opened Tuesday and runs to November 7th, knows that the play is the thing; they’re dedicating this season to the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth. The Festival opened with choreography inspired by Romeo and Juliet. It took me quite some time cursing my poor Spanish before I noticed that the Festival’s site is handily available in English – just click on the icon on the upper left hand side of the screen to find out what other Shakespearean treats they have in store.
The Capulets’ ball: members of the company, Cuban National Ballet. (Photo: Alenadro Ernesto)
Verdi’s Otello (Adelaide, Australia)
Do we have any Australians in the crowd? Because the State Opera of South Australia’s Otello sounds fascinating. Director Simon Phillips has opted to set his version of the opera on an aircraft carrier – and to my mind that sounds like a perfect way to capture the tension of life in a garrison town for audience members who’ve never been under siege (which is most of them). The production stars Bradley Daley as the Moor, Miriam Gordon-Stewart as Desdemona, and Bradley McNicol as Iago. Until October 31st.
Bradley Daley as the Moor and Miriam Gordon-Stewart as Desdemona (Photo: Darren Williams)
And that, my friends, is about all I’ve got for you this week. I’ll be guest posting here next week as well, so please feel free to send tips of new openings my way. If you like what you see, like or share us on Facebook and follow us on Tumblr or Twitter. If you really like what you see please please consider donating.
