The last time we were in Stratford it was for a baseball tournament. This time around, all four kids were with me and we had a chance to take a look around and enjoy some shows. It's good for them to know that Stratford is known world wide for it's Theatre as well as the birth place of Justin Bieber! This weekend, as many have been, was interrupted by a baseball tournament in Cambridge, but we got a lot of good stuff in a short period of time!
So glad to get a good shot of all four kids. Actually, I got a few of them.
The swans look lovely but they're mean creatures. A good metaphor.
I could sit under this tree, on this bench, for days!
Keeping it real. Big space or small space, boys wrestle.
I've promised the kids that next time we're in Stratford we'll rent paddle boats for an afternoon.
Our play adventures started with Much Ado About Nothing. Claire is a Shakespeare nut and LOVED every minute of it. My others? They appreciated it, but had a hard time understanding it.
In two days we saw:
Much Ado About Nothing, traditional Shakespeare - Claire's favourite show; 42nd Street, Broadway musical; Elektra, Greek tragedy; and Pirates of Penzance, Gilbert and Sullivan musical - favourite of the other three.
The performances were brilliant. I have always wanted my kids to be exposed to all kinds of different stage shows so they could decide what they like and what they don't. And, when else would they get a chance to see a traditional Greek tragedy? A tough watch for Caden, but greatly appreciated by everyone else. I don't know if I can express how happy I was that the kids are now old enough to not like or enjoy a performance but appreciate the talent and effort of the performers.
There are painted upright pianos all through town. We heard many talented players as we walked the streets. No, Cole was not one of them!
The shops are very quaint and boutique-y. Yes, that means outrageously expensive!
Claire, the duck whisperer! She and Caden got kibble and fed them as we waited for the theatre to open for the evening performance of 42nd Street.
The Festival Theatre has a ball diamond out front. The story of our summer :)
Years ago, I went to Stratford with my dad to see Maggie Smith perform in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf. It was wonderful. We ate our lunch at The Church Restaurant and I took my kids there for lunch on the Friday. Unlike me, my kids were totally spooked about eating in a church. It was kind of funny to see their reaction, so different from mine!
I love this town. The architecture and culture of it all is such a surprise out in the Middle of Nowhere, Ontario. I love that my kids had the time to fall in love with it, too. They are all determined to return. I am too. Caden wants to go to camp at the Culinary School, Cole and Chloé are hoping to find an acting course or two to participate in and Claire is happy to just enjoy good entertainment and good food!
How can you not love a place that fuels enthusiasm and dreams?
