The Stratford Festival is offering free watch parties every Thursday night at 7pm.
Festival Spokesperson Ann Swerdfager says well over a million people from more than 60 countries enjoyed the spring Watch parties, and enjoyed an experience
She says people can enjoy a theatre experience despite the restrictions on gatherings due to the pandemic.
Getting together, seeing a play, being able to chat with your seatmates, with the added dimension of also being able to talk to actors and stage managers and other people who have worked behind the scenes," she explained.
She says the success of the spring wearies lead to a new $10-a-month streaming service Stratfest@Home.
But she says they wanted to again offer people the experience of the theatre, and enjoy some new content for free.
The shows include three Shakespeare productions, a series of cabaret performances, and some "off the cuff" Undiscovered Sonnets to celebrate a new love story each week.
The free watch parties start tomorrow, and continue each Thursday evening at 7pm ET until April 15th, and youtube.com/stratfordfestival. The Shakespeare films will remain available for free viewing for 36 hours following the streaming.
Thursday, January 21:The Merry Wives of Windsor, directed in 2019 by Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino and featuring Sophia Walker and Brigit Wilson as the merry wives and Geraint Wyn Davies as Falstaff, with Graham Abbey as Mr. Ford, Michael Blake as Mr. Page and Lucy Peacock as Miss Quickly.
Thursday, February 4: Othello, directed in 2019 by Nigel Shawn Williams and featuring Michael Blake in the title role, with Laura Condlln as Emilia, Amelia Sargisson as Desdemona, Gordon S. Miller as Iago and Johnathan Sousa as Cassio.
Thursday, March 4: The Taming of the Shrew, directed in 1988 by Richard Monette and featuring Colm Feore as Petruchio and Goldie Semple as Katherina.
Swerdfager said "other viewing parties in this round feature two newly created Stratford Festival series, Undiscovered Sonnets and Up Close and Musical – a double bill guaranteed to entertain and move you during these winter months."
She explained, "Host Rebecca Northan will introduce a new couple whose love story will be shared and celebrated in sonnets spontaneously created by a talented team of Sonneteers, Raoul Bhaneja, Ashley Botting, Ijeoma Emesowum, Bruce Horak, Kevin Kruchkywich, Ellis Lalonde and Lee Smart. Their prowess will wow you and the series will fill your heart with joy and laughter."
She added, "Viewers will then enjoy a cabaret performance by some of the Festival’s greatest , Robert Ball, Dan Chameroy, Cynthia Dale, Alexis Gordon, Chilina Kennedy, Robert Markus, Marcus Nance, Vanessa Sears and Kimberly-Ann Truong. Directed by Richard Ouzounian with musical director Franklin Brasz and associate director Thom Allison, these spectacular concerts come to you from the beautiful Festival Theatre, providing a heartwarming glimpse of the stage we are all missing so much."