Niagara-On-The-Lake, the slightly less commercialized appendage from its sister ‘Falls' is a cornucopia for any traveller. A stunning garden-like town of boutique shops, historical buildings, water-front gazebos, wineries and all that theatre, theatre, theatre!

Niagara-On-The-Lake and Shaw Festival Of Canada 2007

By: Kindah Mardam Bey

Niagara-On-The-Lake, the slightly less commercialized appendage from its sister ‘Falls’ is a cornucopia for any traveller. A stunning garden-like town of boutique shops, historical buildings, water-front gazebos, wineries and all that theatre, theatre, theatre! The weekend I descended on this Capra-esque community was the ‘home tour’ weekend. A buzz of community minded individuals were showcasing the history and grandeur of the town. Already bustling streets filled with tourists speaking in a plenitude of differing languages; this weekend seemed to be simply one highlight amongst a summer of Niagara-On-The-Lake’s splendour.

First I meandered over to the church that captured my eye; St. Mark’s Anglican Church was one of the first in Canada, founded in 1792. A large and spacious holy centre, St. Mark’s greatest feature is the intricate and illuminescent stained glass windows depicting stories of the bible; a heavenly glow to the building via shards of blues, whites, greens and reds. The rector had time to speak with everyone who entered through St. Mark’s doors.

I continued on my path and noticed the Rectory was open for the house tour, whereby meeting a distinguished member of the Niagara-On-The-Lake community; the Lord Mayor was showcasing some rather elegant horse carriages on the front lawn. Lord Mayor Gary Burroughs knew an immense amount about his community (and the carriages which have even been transportation for royalty) which he takes great interest in making his community reach its fullest potential. Mr. Burroughs was amiable and knowledgeable and as we talked about theatre he proudly spoke of his sister who had performed in the theatre, who is Jackie Burroughs who created the landmark character Aunt Hettie in Road To Avonlea.

Onward I passed to the lake front which was blustery and reminiscent of Miranda looking out to the sea in John William Waterhouse’s painting Miranda And The Tempest.

Taking my breath away with the waves, I walked back to the town, passing the John Simcoe statue nestled in its own foliage and the famous Trisha Romance Gallery. Just around the corner is the antediluvian but meticulously maintained Old Apothecary, showcasing some of the history attached to the town which has seen the likes of the Underground Railroad, Laura Secord and some formidable founding members of Canada walk the pathways and streets.

The rest of the morning might be spent shop-hopping, or simply walking the beautiful main street with all its friendly visitors from both the US and Canada converging. However, a trip to Niagara-On-The-Lake would be shear dullery without Afternoon Tea at The Prince of Wales Hotel (I recommend the Royal Afternoon Tea, as you get a delightful glass of champagne with it.). Then perhaps onward to a matinee, then a quick change of clothes in your hotel before dinner at The Epicurean perhaps or the Shaw Festival Café and Wine Bar (it is like dining in Europe!) and then off to another show. From stem to stern, I can guarantee you’ve seen the best of Niagara-On-The-Lake. Of course, day two would consist of a winery tour on a bike, and more shows, and more dinners out!

Niagara-On-The-Lake in itself is a bountiful experience, but this years Shaw Festival of Canada seems to be the star attraction as plays by Somerset Maugham (The Circle), and musicals like Mack and Mabel are receiving some very high acclaim. I sampled six of the ten productions; The Circle, Mack and Mabel, Hotel Peccadillo, The Philanderer, Saint Joan and The Kiltartan Comedies. What I noticed within these productions collectively, was that they all had the same high-quality and equal level of enjoyment for the audience; consistency at its most professional level. The result was knowing that whatever I saw at the Shaw Festival of Canada this year I was bound to enjoy, and could always find significant merit within strong performances, beautiful sets & costumes, and fascinating stories.

Here’s a look at my reviews of the 2007 Shaw Festival Of Canada:

The Philanderer

Saint Joan

READ AnE VIBE REVIEW OF SAINT JOAN

In 1431 Jeanne d’Arc – a young peasant girl who led an army and crowned a king – died on the stake.

In 1920 she was made a Saint. Bernard Shaw took this extraordinary story and brilliantly retold it, revealing it also as the beginning of a nationalism which dictated the very make-up of Europe until our own 20th-century apocalypse, World War I – our Hundred Years’ War compressed into four.

In 2007 we move between the France of WWI and Joan’s War to re-examine Shaw’s continually resonant play, which combines some of his most refined and provocative political thinking with fiercely poetic and passionate writing, all the while asking us: if she were alive today, would we recognize her – and would we listen? JM

The Circle

Elizabeth and Arnold Cheney live an ordered, respectable married life. This comes to an abrupt halt, however, when Elizabeth hears that Arnold’s mother, who ran off to Europe with her lover many years before, has returned to England and decides that a reconciliation is in order.

Mack And Mabel

READ AnE VIBE REVIEW OF MACK AND MABEL

A musical about the movies! The love story of an irascible genius and his brilliant protégée! An exposé of the clash between art and commerce!

Mack and Mabel is all of the above, woven together in whirling, kinetic style. We careen from the early days of two-reelers in a tatty New York studio, where Mack Sennett and his creative “family” strike gold with the discovery of young comedienne Mabel Normand, to the heady days of champagne and success with the Keystone Cops in L.A. – and to the inevitable downside of that success.

All through we are led by a vibrant blend of musical numbers that celebrate the crazy, freewheeling pioneer spirit of Mack and his gang, and tear-your-heart-out ballads that show the burning relationships underneath. JM

Hotel Peccadillo

READ AnE VIBE REVIEW OF HOTEL PECCADILLO

When you put the words “Feydeau” and “farce” together, the image is immediate. Respectable middle-class folk are manipulated with pin-point precision into a series of increasingly absurd situations where they must try to protect their specific secrets or misdeeds (usually only planned – rarely achieved!)

Hotel Peccadillo is Feydeau at his best, where two old friends, their current amours and several members of their households convene unintentionally at an out-of-the-way hotel that seems only too appropriate for such shenanigans.

But wait – isn’t that Feydeau who is introducing the action? And wasn’t that four Russian airline stewardesses who just dashed across the stage? Yes! We are presenting Feydeau through the eyes of writer-director Morris Panych, in an edgy, contemporary take on an age-old tale, and the combination promises to be provocative, outrageous, but be assured, no less funny! JM

The Kiltartan Comedies

Two note-perfect miniatures that present a rich, affectionate picture of life in a fictional (but very recognizable) Irish village.

Of course I was sad to miss out on Summer and Smoke, Tristan, The Cassilis Engagement, and A Month In The Country. However, as I mentioned, all productions were equally as impressive as the other, so I should imagine the productions I didn’t review will be as vibrant as the ones I did.

For more information about Niagara-On-The-Lake click here

For more information on The Shaw Festival of Canada click here