Weight Wathchers Petit Fours

I haven't made a blog entry in some time, but I thought that this waas worth telling people about. For Christmas Ross gave me a Petit Fours Pan, yes it seems like an odd gift, but I actually asked for it. With the Oscars coming up we are planning to have a few friends over so I decided it was time to put my new pan to work. Thinking about our guests that are on weight watchers I also wanted to make a sweet treat that was low in points so I decided to try something new. If you are on weight watchers you may have heard of a recipe that uses a cake mix and a can of diet soda! Yes you read right. I decided I would try this in my Petit Fours pan, crazy I know but if it works it will be amazing. So as I said the recipe is just a cake mix and a can of diet soda. The pan directions said to use cooking spray and flour so I did that liberally. Then I filled each cup 3/4 full of batter. Place in a pre heated oven at 325 for 25 minutes or until they are starting to brown. Let cool, and then carefully remove from pan. The batch of batter made forty-eight petit fours so they only work out to one point each. So I wont feel bad dusting them with a little icing sugar, or you could do cinnamon or cocoa for no extra points. I just think this is a little wild. Hope you enjoy them. P.S. I also tried a chocolate batch, but didn't like the marks that flowering the pan left on the cake. So I tried just using a lot on non stick spray and they came out wonderfully

Locals Know - Jesus Christ Superstar

Both Andrew Lloyb Webber and Tim Rice have made the treck to Stratford to see this production, and now that we have seen it we know why. Yes all the hype is true. This is a huge hit and you shouldn't miss this one. Webber was quoted as saying the show is “very probably the best acted performance of the show I have ever seen.
Paul Nolan & Josh Young do an outstanding job in carring the show. The strength of this production seems to be infectious because the rest of the ensemble carries the show with equaled strength of the leads. This show has a very fast tempo and drive. There are no pauses required for audience approval. There was so much energy on this set it seemed like the cast would have delivered the same performance even if there was no audience in the seats.

The set of this production is amazing. It isn't a lavish Shakespearean set, but a high tech set that one would expect to see at a rock concert. How this set is used, manipulated and worked is in itself a Tony award winning performance. The transitions and set changes are awe inspiring. The sense of speed, angst and purpose that carried every transition was almost palatable. The updated costumes and choreography were also a plus.


Act 1 flew by so quickly we thought it was minutes.

Yes I will admit it, I am gushing. Simply put, GO SEE THIS SHOW.

Locals Know - The Merry Wives of Windsor

Last week I had the pleasure of seeing the Merry Wives of Windsor with a dear friend. I asked her if she would be so kind as to write us a review. She did such a wonderful job, and I agree with her whole heartedly. Therefore I will post her review in its entirety.

Yay for good friends and good theatre.

The Merry Wives of Windsor was a scrumptious, and unexpected, treat! And one of the best performances by an entire cast that I can remember. Each player was equally as good as the next, and honestly, the word "good" doesn't do them credit; they all performed exceptionally well. In fact, it's difficult not to rave about every one of them, but I'll endeavour to pick out a few highlights:

First, it's interesting to note that this is one of the only plays that Shakespeare set in London and, I believe, the only play that he wrote entirely in prose, which explains why MW is extremely accessible (meaning, easy to understand), because it is not riddled with poetic dialogue. Legend has it that Queen Elizabeth asked the bard to write a play about her beloved character, Falstaff, and that in this play the fat knight should be in love. Oh, and the play must be ready in two weeks! The result: a rich comedy -- a precursor to the modern-day sit-com -- full of farcical moments, and ridiculous characters!

Geraint Wyn Davies captures the character of Sir John Falstaff so completely, you quite forget that he's not a real person! And Davies imbues this delightful character with a warmth that is undeniable. You are drawn into his delusion that, although obese and quite unattractive, he can attract and seduce two lovely married women by sending them an ill-written love letter (the same one to each). And as he endures humiliation after comedic humiliation, you grow to love the fat knight more... and more.

Equally impressive performances are given by the "Wives", Lucy Peacock and Laura Condlln, who capture the wit and high spirits of their characters, drawing you in to their delightful scheme to undermine the would-be seducer, Falstaff. Their complicity is tangible, and you are caught up in their glee as each plot unfolds to repay Falstaff for jeopardizing their honour, and insulting them by sending identical letters!

Although the entire cast shone, it would be unfair not to mention Tom Rooney's absolutely delicious portrayal of the outrageously jealous husband, Master Ford. To learn whether his wife is indeed being unfaithful, Rooney's character disguises himself in foppish clothes and a ridiculous wig; it's a pleasure to watch as Rooney escalates his character's manic jealousy scene after scene, with superb comic timing. If you saw his performance in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum", you will understand; Tom Rooney has a superlative talent for comedy.

Nigel Bennett is also hysterically funny with his almost unintelligible French accent, and Christopher Prentice does a great job of bringing Master Slender's stupendous stupidity to life!

I could go on and on and on... each character was played so well, it seems unfair not to mention every single one of them! Suffice to say that MW is a wonderful, funny play, very easy to understand (even for those who aren't fans of Shakespeare), and ideal for any age! Even the high school students who filled most of the audience the day I saw it were laughing... and at the right spots!

Locals Know - The Grapes of Wrath

Over the weekend the Festival posed the question “How would you celebrate the Bards birthday”? Well we went to see a play of course. We had the pleasure of seeing the opening preview of “The Grapes of Wrath.” Although it wasn’t classical Shakespeare it is a classic American story, and this production is a beautifully intimate nugget.

First of all the audience should go into this play with the realization that the story being portrayed here is not a happy one, this is a slice of life from a tumultuous time period in American history, but what makes it beautiful is the story’s portrayal of the sense of family, and the struggle to survive no matter what heartbreaks we are faced with.

We had very close seats for this production and this had positive and negative effects on our overall opinion of the production. One of the positives of sitting so close was that we were drawn into the play. It is a play where you need to feel for the characters, and the kindness they exude. The production became very intimate for us, but we wondered whether that same feeling was conveyed to the patrons at the back of the theatre.

Although minimal the set is beautiful. There are moments when the truck is alone on stage, and it gives you the feeling of isolation this family endures on this daunting journey. In the next minute they transform the stage into such wonderful visual images the likes of which, we had never experiences on the stage before.

One of the negatives of sitting so close was that we could see into the wings and saw far too much of the set entering and exiting. We hope that this will be worked out as the crew becomes more comfortable in moving the set on, and off, and we have to admire the work that goes on back stage to make the transitions in this play so seamless.

In terms of great performances there are many. Janet Wright is perfect as Ma, and Chilina Kennedy pulls off another magical chameleon like performance and transforms herself into a naive country girl who must face new harsh realities of life. (The final image of the play with Chilina is breathtaking.) Tom McCamus has a hit in his portrayal of Jim Casy while Evan Buliung holds it all together with his strong portrayal of Tom Joad. The cast understands the rhythm of this play, and work in ensemble to pull off the nuances needed to make this play work.

Friends have told us they left this production depressed, but we left filled with the spirit of family and the strength to survive. No matter what this production will inspire many conversations and debates this season.

Locals Know - Camelot

With the weather we have been having lately it is hard to believe that yes indeed, it is spring time in Stratford. But last weekend we had the opportunity to see one of the first previews of the season…. “Camelot.”

It was wonderful to see a patron filled Festival Theatre. The room was filled with anticipation and excitement for the new season and we were not to be disappointed. This production is a delicious dose of classical, and romantic Musical Theatre. Director Gary Griffin has created a production that is a true both to the script, and plays homage to the timeless romance of the 1950’s Musical format.

This production doesn’t take itself too seriously, and many of the characters are presented with a tongue in cheek sense of frivolity. This keeps the production light and entertaining, but isn’t as over the top as “Kiss Me Kate” was last year.

The songs themselves were a pleasant surprised for us. We went into this production with few expectations, as we knew the storyline but didn’t really remember the show itself. As each musical number developed we found ourselves saying, “Oh, I forgot this song was from this play.” There were plenty of magical moments, but one that really stood out was Jonathan
Winsby’s rendition of “C’est Moi.”

As always the set and costumes are spectacular and our hats go off to everyone involved in the backstage departments of this show. The show is a visual feast from the opening moment, (which takes your breath away), to the majestic scene of pomp and ceremony where Arthur knights Lancelot in front of the entire court. We sat in the balcony this time, and the shapes and patterns created by choreographer Warren Carlyle, during the show are breathtaking.

We had the privilege of sitting next to the family of Jimmy Mallett, who plays the young Arthur, and Tom of Warwick. He did an outstanding job for a youngster on the Festival Stage, and the pride and support of his family made the show that much more memorable for us.

This show has been promoted as this year’s family friendly production and we completely agree. The story being about kings and knights should be enough to capture the interest of a younger audience. (The sword fights won’t hurt either) The feeling that we left with was that we had seen a great introduction to the musical theatre craft that will hook a young audience.

Looking Forward to a New Season

Everyone appears to be ready to bust down doors in order to get out of the house and welcome spring with open arms. We too are excited, anticipating another wonderful season at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Last season we posted our views on each performance as we saw them throughout the season. We will try to do this again this year, but at this time would like to share what we have heard about the upcoming play list.
While perusing the Visitor’s Guide we have noticed a re-occurring theme this year. That theme is amazing casting. This may be because we are now heading into our fourth season and becoming more and more familiar with the company and their amazing talents. Each and every play seems to have at least one cast member that we can’t wait to see in a given role.
In Merry Wives of Windsor, we are awaiting the performances of Lucy Peacock, Tom Rooney and Geraint Wyn Davies, for we anticipate their antics will be very amusing. As always we are suckers for the musicals and this year will be no different. We are expecting great things from Paul Nolan and Chilina Kennedy in Jesus Christ Superstar, as they have such great chemistry on stage. Ross is longtime fan of Brent Carver so will be waiting to see him in Camelot.
A lesser-known face to the Stratford Audience is Melissa O’Neil. Melissa was originally from Calgary and won Canadian Idol, and we can’t wait to see her on the Stratford Stage.
We think that Brian Dennehy could single handedly draw in the masses to both Twelfth Night and The Home Coming but the rest of the casts are extremely talented as well. On the heals of his success on Broadway in The Importance of Being Earnest it will be great to see what Brian Bedford will do with The Misanthrope both as an actor and director.
Corner Gas fans will see a different side of Janet Wright in The Gapes of Wrath. Another reason not to miss this American Classic will be to witness the chameleon like talents of Chilina Kennedy. Last year she did this with her lead role in Evita and Lois in Kiss Me Kate.
We can’t write about casting without noting the roles of Seana McKenna. We have never see Richard III cross cast but if anyone can pull it off Seana can. In opposition to this it will be great to see Seana’s more feminine side as Shakespeare’s widow Anne Hathaway in Shakespeare’s Will.
With the passing of Peter Donaldson it will be interesting to see the re-casting of Titus Andronicus. David Ferry is stepping into the role originally slated for Peter to play, so we wish him well in this endeavor. We will also be watching the performance of Amanda Lisman.
We have always had a special fondness the productions performed on the Studio Stage. This space is so intimate and the productions are always new and fresh. With this predisposition we look forward to seeing Yanna McIntosh & Chick Reid in The Little Years. And that leaves us with Hosanna. With the breathtaking success of Michel Tremblay’s For The Pleasure of Seeing Her Again last year we think that this play is going to be the hard to get ticket of the season. We are curious to see Gareth Potter journey as he transforms himself into a transvestite. Furthermore in light of the recent loss of the iconic actress Elizabeth Taylor this production should prove to be even more timely and poignant.
So as the buds try to break through the surface of their frozen beds we too await the opportunity to bask in the light of the many brilliant performances of the upcoming season.

Locals Know - Dangerous Liaisons

Usually when we write these reviews we totally agree what to write, but with this particular show we have a slight difference of opinion.

I really enjoyed this production. I would however offer a word of warning, This production doesn't hold anything back, and if you are at all uncomfortable with the lascivious content of this play you might want to steer clear of this production. Personally I was really looking forward to this play and I enjoy it immensely.

My partner on the other hand didn't enjoy the play as much as I did. He felt that this is a very intimate play, and thinks it might have been better suited to the Tom Patterson stage.

We did agree on the fact that the entire play could be tightened up, in terms of timing and pacing. But we did see the very first preview so I am quite confident that this will improve with time. Another thing we agreed upon was the performances of Seana McKenna, Sara Topham and Martha Henry are spectacular and the costumes and set are beautiful.

After we saw this play we had a very lengthy discussion about it with friends at dinner that evening. This play is going to be the topic of many discussions at our breakfast table for the remainder of the season and that is exactly what good theatre should do.

Locals Know - For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again

I realize that we keep gushing about everything we have seen this season, but we can't help it. As Ross wrote on the Festivals facebook page " It just keeps getting better and better! It is the cherry on top of an already brilliant season and must not be missed."

This play is a beautiful slice of life that made us laugh and cry. I think everyone will be able to identify with Lucy Peacocks character. She portrays an exuberant woman that every audience member will connect with, and she will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride. Tom Rooney has also hit his stride this season and we tilt our hats to his performance. This was the play that I was most looking forward to this season and it surpassed every expectation. We don't want to give too much away but what we will say is "DON'T MISS THIS PERFORMANCE."

Bieber Fever is Alive and Well

Stratford Ontario has become famous in a new generation. Not for the long standing and world renowned Shakespeare Festival, but as the home of the teen heart throb Justin Bieber. I love the thought that not so long ago Justin was just another local teen performing on the steps of the local theatre and look at him now. The local tourism association has had over 9,000 visits to the Justin Bieber map and has handed out over 1000 printed versions!

We too have seen the effect of "Bieber Fever."
A few days ago I received the following e-mail.

"hello, good night...
i seeing your room, and i feel interesting..... btw, its available a set a house, or just a room?... *thanks.. "

I was curious about the message so I replied;
"Thank you for your interest. At our B&B we rent out bedroom suites, but with that you do get to use parts of the house and grounds. If you would like to book please let us know."

This was the response I received;
"ouwh, yeah its so nice thankyou... :) :) and, yeah, its must be so great..., i like it soo much... :) btw, i live in Indonesia (asian)... sorry for bothering and ask alot... but, im sorry i cant rent it for now, cz im still 15 yrs old...
i just soo interesting with your place, when i take a look about Stratford Ontario.....
At first i just wanna see Justin Bieber's place, cz im a Huge Fan of Justin Bieber.. :))

thanks again.. :) i hope i can take a rent in your place soon with Justin Bieber. ;) jk,... :) :)"

I guess the old saying that any press is good press would apply to this interaction. Thank you Justin for exposing us to a new market.

Locals Know - Winter's Tale

Winter's Tale is yet another success in what is proving to be a wonderful season. This production delivers a very well told story that is easy to follow, even for non-shakespeare followers.

The staging of this production is simple but effective, and the costuming is lovely. It has a well rounded out cast of characters that worked together to tell this lovely tale There are fantastic performances by a multiple characters. To name just a few, Seana McKenna has a strong stage presence about her in this role, and brings an energy and commitment that is often hard to find. As well, Yanna McIntosh captured the grace and style of Queen Mermione.

Once again the director has captured the comedic moments and managed to find the musicality in Shakespeare's words. Even the bear managed to make many audience members jump.
Simply put It is nice to see that Shakespeare can be performed traditionally and still be pertinent and current. Instilling intrigue and true emotion.

Locals Know - The Tempest

The highly anticipated production of the Tempest starring Christopher Plummer is up and running, and yes it was worth the wait. As expected, Mr. Plummer is fantastic, the way he commands the attention of his audience and his mastery of Shakespearian text is incomparable and those two aspects alone make this production a must see. There are also some surprise stellar performances in this production. The first of which is that of Julyana Soelistyo as the lovable sprite Ariel. Soelistvo brings an infectious energy and a childlike innocence to this character. So much so that it is hard to believe that in real life she is a married mother of two.
The play itself runs the risk of being a little dark, but Director Des McAnuff has managed to find the comedic moments in the script. Bruce Dow as Trinculo and Geraint Wyn Davies as Stephano lift the audience out of the darkness every time they walk on the stage. Dow's campy antics are absolutely hilarious.
A shout out should also be made to the many hands that are backstage making this show happen. All the technical elements from the slight of hand to big theatrical illusions are all presented with panache.
(As a side note, the first act is very long so be prepared and use the facilities before you are seated.)

Put all of these wonderful performances and technical talents together and the result is a show that should not be missed. It is no wonder that Bravo will be returning to record this production for the archives. I strongly suggest you take advantage of any opportunity to see it live.

Stratford Summer Music

Stratford Summer Music is celebrating it's tenth season this year and the line up is spectacular. Last night we had the pleasure of listening to a presentation by the events Artistic Producer, John Miller who gave us some wonderful insight on what one shouldn't miss this year.

Opening the five weeks of festivities is a wonderful concert that will be held on Tom Patterson Island. Although the concert is a private event for sponsors the music and fireworks display can be enjoyed by all. The piece de resistance of this evening will be a barge decorated with Chinese lanterns which will float down the Avon river, flanked by two Dragon boats. On the barge will be a choir, and if Mr Millers enthusiasm is any indication of how spectacular this will be, we are in for a treat.

The festival will be full of amazing talent, and I will try to point out a few of the highlights;
Canada’s great tenor to the world Ben Heppner will be performing five times during the first week of the festival including a performance with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada right next door to Hughson Hall at Central United Church. The Lanley Ukulele Ensemble is the most requested group in the festivals history and they will be returning this year. If you have an opportunity take advantage of Picnic Basket auctions that will take place every Saturday during the festival. These picnics are supplied by local restaurants and always prove to be a wonderful surprise.

Another festival favorite has been the Saturday night Cabarets at the Church Restaurant. These are after theatre performances that begin at 11:30 pm but this year there is also a dinner and show option that should prove very popular. The tickets in highest demand this year are the Bach at Rundles performances. Winona Zelenka, acting principal cellist of Toronto Symphony Orchestra, presents J.S.Bach’s Six Suites for Solo Cello on the famed Guarnerius/Starker cello which was built in 1707. Additional performances have been added so there are still some tickets available at this time.

In week three keep your ears peeled for local 60's rockers "Reload" who will be performing classic rock on the barge. You can also catch the three act performances of "My Audia" in the downtown core. Each act of this three act tragicomic street opera will be performed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The basis of the plot is "what happened to the children of Hamelin after the Pied Piper took them away." On another level this opera will explore the power of sound and how it can save us.

In week four check out Jan Lisiecki, a 15 year-old piano sensation from Calgary. After his performance in Stratford Jan will be heading to Warsa to perform at the 5th International Festival “Chopin and His Europe” On the barge this week check out the sounds of New Orleans with the female Cajun Band, Swamperella.

Finally in Week five watch for the Tivoli Boys Band from Copenhagen Denmark, and don't miss the RBC Festival Finale featuring Jackie Richardson. This performance will also be held next door to Hughson Hall at Central United Church.

It looks like an outstanding event, so please try to take in "Stratford's Other Festival" this summer.

Locals Know - Peter Pan

This production is a wonderful addition to the Stratford Festival play bill this season. Exposing a new generation of theatre patrons is never a bad thing. Offering a production that can be enjoyed by children and adults that are young at heart is even better.
As Antoni Cimolino has stated these children will be the next generation of theatre goers and this production is sure to leave them with a lasting memory that will draw them back to Stratford in years to come.
There are plenty of awe inspiring effects in this production that will be enjoyed by both young and old. The flying scenes are flawless, the alligator is highly entertaining. But the piece de resistance is the ship. WOW! The story line is darker than you may recall from your childhood memories, but the energy and dedication the actors put into their performances certainly transport you back in time. Michael Therriault's performance as Peter was awe inspiring! His movements, and speech pattern convinced us that he was indeed a fine example eternal youth. Playing opposite as his nemisis, Captain Hook, balances out this battle of good and evil.
We were fortunate enough to sit beside two young boys, ages 8 & 11, who's energy and enthusiasm made the show all the more enjoyable for us. At one point the 11 year old next to us exclaimed "Isn't this exciting! It's not every day that you experience something like this." We felt the same way, as the pirates scoured the audience for Lost Boys.

As a side note we have a challenge for you. There is one actor that plays two different characters in this production, can you figure out who it is? Best of luck and enjoy the show.

Check out this production clip.

Locals Know - Jacques Brel is Alive and Well

What a lovely nugget. We thoroughly enjoyed this production but the first thing we will address is the fact that this isn't really a play, but more of a collection of songs by the famous french songwriter Jacques Brel. If you are looking for a collection of beautiful songs that individually tell wonderful little stories you will love this production. The songs have been translated into English but have not lost their soul. A few songs are performed in their native language and although we are not french speaking we recognized the beauty these song held when performed in french.
The most impressive is the sound quality. This being the first musical staged in the Tom Patterson theatre the Festival has invested in a new sound system for the theatre. The result is superb and for the most part you could never tell the actors were mic'ed. This production also proves that this venue is perfect for intimate musical performances due to the fact that the audience is performed to from every angle. Making the audience feel as though they are an intimate part of the performance.
Another element of this performance that must be noted is Jewelle Blackman's rendition of "Carousel." I can't say that I remember her performance in Cabaret but after this show she will never again be forgotten.
In summary these enticing little nuggets exemplify the famous soliloquy from "As You Like It", this speech states that all the world is a stage and these little songs are further proof of that.


If you want to investigate the real life Jacques Brel check out the following link;
Jacques Brel Video

Check out this production clip.

Locals Know - Evita

I had the pleasure of attending the very first preview of "Evita" and the production was everything that I wanted it to be. As expected Chilina Kennedy absolutely shone. This production has gotten a lot of criticism even before it opened. Some Shakespeare purists believe a Lloyd Webber play shouldn't be a part of this festival, others simply believe that the real Eva Peron was a money hungry social climber and that there shouldn't be a play about her in the first place. To these nay-sayers I say expand your horizons. This is a lovely production with great performances, some catchy tunes and a wonderful set. The play manages to transport you to another time and place and that is what good theatre is all about.
One of the great things about this show is the set. They have developed a wonderful system that acts like the lens of a camera enabling the director to expand or focus the audiences viewpoint. I found this extremely enticing and loved the way the set was manipulated to help to tell the story. Furthermore the use of video imaging also enhanced the production making it new and interesting. The friend that I attended this show with made a comment at intermission that she found Chilina's voice a little shrill, but I assured her that I felt it was a part of her character, and as her character grew so would Chilina's voice and this was definitely the case. My hat goes off to Chilina for although she is a a very petite woman she caries the big role very successfully.
I have seen this show before many years ago, but over the years I have forgotten a couple of points. This show is somewhat a rock opera, and some of the songs reminded me a lot of "Jesus Christ Superstar." Having said that some of the music is loud and edgy so be prepared. Finally I had forgotten how abruptly this show ends. You discover that Eva Peron's body disappeared for 17 years and then boom bows begin. There is no big finale number to let the audience leave tapping their toes but this too is a representation of the the real life story. Eva Peron clawed her way to stardom, she eventually lived the flashy and glamorous life she had always dreamed of, but then suddenly it all came to an end.
I feel that this production is a welcomed and interesting alternative for Stratford patrons and I hope you enjoy the show as much as I did.

Check out this production clip.

Insight on the Season

Last night we attended the Stratford and Area Bed and Breakfast Associations Spring Social.
It was a lovely evening hosted by the local restaurant "Pan Tapas & Grill," but the highlight of the evening were the guests of honor. The Festival Theatre House Manager Stephen Barber and Festival Actor Bruce Dow gave us a wonderful insight on what to look forward to in the upcoming season. Mr. Barber started off the discussion by saying he wasn't much of a speaker and that he would talk first because once Bruce got started he wouldn't get a word in. He went on to share many comical antidotes about his thirteen years working with the festival, but the thing I wanted to share with all of you was what he said about this years production of "Kiss Me Kate" Barber called this show "a valentine to theatre" He went on to explain that anyone who has ever been involved in amateur or community theatre groups will relate with the antics that are portrayed in this play. In his opinion this is one of the must see productions this season.
For the few of you that don't know him, Bruce Dow has been an actor with the Festival for eleven seasons. Many will remember him for his more recent roles in "Cabaret" and "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum." Last year Dow had to pull out of the production of "Funny Thing." There have been a lot of stories circulating about the how and why this happened but he wanted to clear the air. Dow explained that it was a combination of things. First he injured his knees during the rehearsal process, then early in the run he contracted pneumonia which ultimately resulted in a paralyzed vocal chord. Fortunately his voice has returned and the Festival has asked him to return this season. This year Dow will be performing in the production of "Two Gentlemen of Verona" This show was done by the festival in the past, but unlike the previous production which he described as being quite dark he says this years production is going to be a blast. Dow also explained that a few years ago people were beginning to say that the Stratford Shakespeare Festival needed a change. Having been an actor both under Richard Monetts direction and the current artistic director Dow stated that we got that change in the form of a Tasmanian Devil named Des. (As a side quip Mr McAnuff made a brief impromptu appearance at the event as well)
Dow went on to explain that the La Joya playhouse has been an internationally renowned playhouse for many years and that Stratford is quickly gaining that same kind of international reputation. He went on to note that although McAnuffs productions of Shakespeare have been met by mixed reviews in the past this years production of "As You Like It" will show you what McAnuff is all about. He went on to explain that it will be an exciting season due to the fact that the directors of both major musicals this year are both Tony Award nominees and winners. Finally Dow described the production of "The Tempest" staring Christopher Plummer as glorious, stunning and magical.
With endorsement like these I am even more excited about the upcoming season, I hope you are as well.
As a side note, we have invited Stephen and Bruce to our home for an East Indian dinner, we will keep you posted.

Delicious Stratford – a culinary celebration of Spring

There are two things that we love great theatre and great food.
Well most people know that Straford has great theatre, but if you are planning a visit rest assured the food will not disappoint. It doesn't matter if you are looking for high end, or cheap and cheerful Stratford has a great selection of restaurants to satisfy every taste and budget.

This spring the local Tourism Association is promoting "Delicious Stratford." During the months of May and June you can enjoy prix fixe menu selections at several local restaurants. These menus are well priced and sure to please.

For more information please check out this link:
Delicious Stratford
Food in Stratford is a wonderful thing.

Selecting a Bed and Breakfast

We would like to share some thoughts and advice on how to select a Bed and Breakfast.
The first thing you should ask yourself is what are you looking for. Bed & Breakfast's, like most other business come in all shapes and sizes, and offer many different services. You need to stop and ask yourself, "Am I looking for a cost effective way to travel, or am I looking for a memorable experience?"

If you are looking for cost efficient lodging then take a look at smaller "Mom & Pop" establishments. Often these B&B's will be more like bunking in with family. These B&B's usually have a couple of extra bedrooms that they rent out to travelers, but for the most part you will be welcomed into their daily household routine. As is the case with all Bed & Breakfasts these business's should offer comfortable lodging and basic amenities.

If it is a memorable experience that you are looking for look for a property with ‘wow’ factor. Most patrons will start browsing B&B's in a local area by photo's found on the internet. That is a good place to start your search. When you find a home that makes you say "Oh I would love to live in a house like that, then you should explore them further and see what kind of services they offer. One of the fantastic things about B&B's is that they offer guests an opportunity to stay in homes that are different from their own. Whether you are looking for a quaint cottage, a unique historical mansion or a hip and cool urban setting you can usually find them, and many more that will offer B&B services.

Secondly think about your budget. If you want cost effective lodging look for the quaint family style operations. If you are organizing a special occasion like your anniversary or engagement plan on splurging a little. Think about it this way, if you wanted to stay in a Super 8 motel you would expect to pay certain amount, but if you were looking to stay at the Ritz you would be in a completely different price range. The same goes for Bed & Breakfast's. The thing that makes B&B's more appealing than a hotel experience is that you will have the opportunity to explore the local lifestyle with the assistance of a well educated host that should be willing to cater to your own personal needs.

Once you have decided upon a price range start to think about the amenities you require. Are you willing to share a bathroom with other guests or would you prefer a private bath or en-suite? Do you need a king size bed, or will you need separate twin beds? These are just examples of where to start your inquiry.

Other tips to help you with your selections are:

Contact the owners either by e-mail or by phone. You will be staying in their homes so you will want to make sure that you gel with the hosts. A host should be informative, friendly and knowledgeable. They should be willing and eager to offer information about the local events and area as well as answers to any questions you have about their own property and services.

Guest reviews are also important when choosing a B&B. Trip Advisor is a great resource for guest reviews, but keep in mind that their rating system is a popularity index not a star rating system. Therefore the number one placed property isn't necessarily the fanciest B&B in town. It is simply the one with the most recent postings. Look for a property with multiple reviews that offer advice that you find appealing.

So having said all of that it all boils down to a few simple ideas.
Decide on a price point.
Chose the type of property you are looking for and the amenities you require.
Look for informative and congenial hosts.
Refer to the advice of past patrons.
If you keep these simple steps in mind you should be able to find a property that fits your budget and helps to make your vacation memorable.

Good luck and happy travels