I have recently seen two plays at the Avon Theatre in Stratford, Ontario and they couldn’t have been more different from each other.
The first was Dirty Rotten Scroundels, a lively musical romp through the French Riviera. Any who remember the 1988 movie with Michael Caine and Steve Martin will know what to expect. In these troubled times in the world it is good to escape into some fun for a little while. The sets are colourful, the music will pick up your spirits and will have you tapping your feet. If you weren’t in a good mood entering the theatre, you would surely be by the time you left.
More recently I saw a production of Macbeth re-imagined as set in the biker wars in Canada in the 1990s. The set was masterfully designed around a motel with moving rooms. The use of the bikes on stage was unique to say the least. The most off putting part for me was the use of a mirror across the back of the stage in parts which gave the appearance of more actors and bikes on stage. A benefit of it is being able to see the back of the actors as well as their fronts.
In both cases, the cast is stellar, as I have come to expect at Stratford. In particular, one of my favourite actors, Tom Rooney, portrays the part of Macduff, Thane of Fife in Macbeth.
The Avon Theatre is located in downtown Stratford on Downie Street across from the market square. I usually park in the Cooper Lot down the street as it is free. There are closer lots and metered parking on the streets. If you’re staying in Toronto and looking for a day trip there is a bus, Stratford Direct, that runs specifically from the plays and drops you off and picks you up right outside the respective theatre of which there are four.
If you are planning a visit in 2026, the play list has just been released on www.stratfordfestival.ca .
