Armchair Traveller: Beyond the Stage - A Stratford Escape
- Lynn Abbey
- Aug 18, 2024
- 2 min read
My late father-in-law spent some of his early working years at a bank in Stratford, Ontario and he and I used to make an annual pilgrimage to Stratford where we would have a nice lunch out, drive around his old neighbourhood, and see a play. I’m happy to say that even though he isn’t with me this year, I’ve already had two great trips to the Stratford Festival! It’s not too late for you to plan a visit during the 2024 season! Here’s a bit about my experiences this year!
Trip 1 – An overnight stay at an adorable AirBnB, Hotel Julie, with three other gals was the first visit this year. With several suites, this former rowhouse is decorated in a stylish and funky way, and appointed with great furnishings and linens, stunning bathrooms, and a functioning kitchenette. It’s just outside of downtown on St Vincent Street, but within easy walking distance to shops and restaurants. We took advantage of the location to enjoy a casually upscale dinner at Bijou Restaurant with a seasonal menu full of great flavours. We also enjoyed roaming the streets of Stratford, which are full of a many clothing, décor, and houseware shops, not to mention shopkeepers who are welcoming and warm to the many visitors in their town!
Our play was a matinée performance of Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler (1891), the classic and tragic tale of a young newlywed woman trapped in a marriage she suddenly finds boring and unfulfilling. The themes of the play are realistic and thought-provoking, examining social mores, the role of husbands and wives, and what happens when one’s life doesn’t measure up to one’s expectations. The performance was intense, perfectly staged in the new (2022) and beautiful Tom Patterson Theatre. Modern and moody, this intimate theatre allows the actors’ stark performances to be highlighted with minimal interference from the surroundings.
While it won’t give you the “feel-good” experience of a Broadway musical, it’s a well-written and solidly-acted production. Hedda Gabler runs until September 28, so there’s time to find a seat and settle in for a bumpy ride!
Safe Travels
Lynn Abbey
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