Monthly Archive for October, 2008

Look Back at The Mad Pirate and the Mermaid

Shakespeare & Company’s first original full-length production written specifically for the Rose Footprint Theatre, The Mad Pirate and the Mermaid, closed on August 30th. Written and directed by Michael Burnet with original music by , the show was rife with pirates, lovers, villains, square-rigged ships, identical twins, women of ill-repute, utter foolishness, gun battles, heartbreak, sword fights, three men in a boat, musical numbers, swashbuckling, redemption and a real live mermaid! While tickets to the show were free (part of our annual free Bankside Festival) and broke records in both attendance and donations at the Rose Footprint Theatre. Here’s a look back at the show’s swash-buckling mayhem.

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Play Review: Wilde at heart

cantervillesco08kspra_456sized.jpgDirector-in-residence ’s The Canterville Ghost is now on stage through November 9th. Adapted from the Oscar Wilde story by Brook with Anna Brownsted and the ensemble, The Canterville Ghost tells the story of an English ghost named Sir Simon and the American that comes to pester him. Check out a video interview with Irina Brook; and learn about ways the whole family can enjoy the Ghost without breaking the bank. From The Boston Globe:

More silly than scary, “The Canterville Ghost” is an ideal entertainment for the fall spooky season. It won’t frighten the little children, it won’t bore the older ones, and it even provides a dash of simple but effective theatricality for the adults in the .

Read the full review.

Wilde Weekends: Family Events for The Canterville Ghost

The Canterville Ghost, directed by and adapted from the Oscar Wilde short story, tells the story of a zany haunted by a grumpy old ghost—who just can’t seem to scare them. Running 90 minutes, it’s the perfect show for a fall outing. Wilde Weekends are just a few ways to get the whole together this fall.

cantervillesco08kspra_497sized.jpg The Canterville Magic Party

Discover the fun and spooky magic of The Canterville Ghost at a very special price, and stick around for a magic show by a live Magician! It all happens at the Canterville Magic Party following the 2pm matinee on October 18th.

  • Get close up and see some fantastic illusions!
  • Decorate and take home your own pumpkin!
  • Enjoy free delicious apple cider donuts!
  • Meet the Otis Family and Sir Simon the Spell Binder!

It all happens Saturday, October 18th. Tickets to the 2:00 matinee of The Canterville Ghost are $25 adults, $10 kids. Tickets to the Canterville Magic are $10 for all.

Pumpkins have been donated by our friends at Taft Farms, Great Barrington, MA. Donuts are being donated by Bartlett’s Apple Orchard, Richmond, MA. We appreciate their generosity and encourage our patrons to visit these favorite Berkshire County locations this fall!

Buy tickets now!

$10 Tickets — Bring the whole !

We’re continuing our goal of making our productions as affordable as possible. That’s why on Thursday nights, you can get tickets to The Canterville Ghost for as low as $10 when you bring your whole . It’s called our Thursday Family Rush! So gather the kids—and your aunts and uncles and grandparents—and have a blast at The Canterville Ghost!

Groups of 4–6 people pay $15 per ticket.
Groups of 7–10 people pay $10 per ticket.

Tickets available for Thursday performances only and must be purchased day-of-show at the Box Office or by calling 413-637-3353. Entire group’s tickets must be purchased in a single transaction using cash or credit card. Offer may expire without notice.

bankside-segan.jpg Victorian Entertainments with Francine Segan

Francine is back at Shakespeare & Company for another amusing lecture inspired by The Canterville Ghost . This time, she’ll be talking about mid-1800s, the fascinating time period when high society was at its peak. A time of calling cards, horse drawn coaches, high tea, cotillions, lawn parties, formal dinners… a time when even picnics were served on fine china.

Discover the sorts of foods, elaborate etiquette, and enchanting entertainments enjoyed then. Francine’s vivid descriptions of formal dinner parties, cotillions, and elegant picnics will transport you back in time.  Learn the 1850’s meanings of giving a lady a tulip instead a rose; discover the most popular toasts of the 1850s; and when it was proper to remove your gloves or tip your hat.

Highlights of the talk include:

  • Trivia contest on the uses for dozens of unique but now-obsolete objects from the era
  • Tastings of a popular 19th century tidbits
  • Demonstrations on creating easy but festive 19th century garnishes
  • It’s a great way to prepare for your upcoming holiday entertaining.

So get your tickets for Saturday, October 25th at 4pm in Shakespeare & Company’s Production and Performing Arts Center.

Ingredients for Francine’s tasty dishes provided by Guido’s Fresh Marketplace.

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