THEATRE NEWS: The importance of being too successful

JOHN COULBOURN - QMI Agency
2 FEB/11

With the extension of his Broadway production of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, Brian Bedford has fallen victim to his own success and been forced to withdraw as director of this summer’s production of THE MISANTHROPE at the Stratford Festival. Although Bedford will star in the production, as previously announced, the work will now be directed by David Grindley, who last directed on the Festival stage in 2009, when he helmed A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM.

WINTER IN SUMMER
While they’re still playing the rest of their 2011-12 season close to their vests with an announcement expected later this month, the folks at Canadian Stage have announced that William Shakespeare’s THE WINTER'S TALE will be the play featured in their annual Dream In High Park next summer. Slated to begin performances June 28, this summer’s offering will be directed by Estelle Shook.

JAPANESE STAGE ON FILM
Unlike sushi and a few other Japanese exports, kabuki doesn’t play a large role on Toronto menus — or, more appropriately perhaps, on Toronto playbills. For those with a taste for the highly-stylized 400-year-old classical Japanese brand of theatre, things will be looking up this weekend, at least in the world of celluloid.

On Saturday, the Scotiabank Theatre (259 Richmond St. W.) will play host to the Canadian première of HERON MAIDEN at 1 p.m., and RAKUDA: PARTY WITH A DEAD MAN at 2:30 p.m. On Sunday, things kick off with TRIPLE LION DANCE at 1 p.m., with a reprise of HERON MAIDEN at 3 p.m. It’s called Cinema Kabuki, a presentation of the Japan Foundation and all movies are in HD, with six channel sound and English subtitles. Tickets ($23 and $17) are available at cineplex.com. Call 416-966-1600 ext. 229 for further info.

CALL FOR FRESH PERSPECTIVES
For the second year, the Harold Green Jewish Theatre is offering aspiring playwrights the chance to have their latest efforts workshopped by professional actors and directors. The competition is titled In The Beginning and seeks to find Jewish voices that offer fresh perspectives on Jewish history, heritage and experience. For details, visit hgjewishtheatre.com