Taming of the Shrew
Shakespeare's timeless battle of the sexes plays out amidst the lush beauty of the Assiniboine Park Conservatory. Set in the wild west, where the men fight dirty and the women fight back, Shakespeare in the Ruins’ Taming of the Shrew promises to ignite passionate debate amongst audience members.
Stripped Down Macbeth
Shakespeare's brilliant portrait of ambition–run–amok gets a contemporary, punk rock treatment in this tightly crafted, four–actor production.The three witches transform themselves into all the characters peopling Macbeth's world; truly manipulating his violent choices, leading him to his inevitable doom.
The play ends as it began, illustrating the cyclical nature of violence and the futility of “regime change”, timely messages that reflect our concerns for our communities and our world.
Stripped Down Romeo & Juliet
Travel back in time with this cheekily playful nod to Elizabethan theatre.With an all-male cast, elaborate garments and lightning-quick costume changes, Shakespeare in the Ruins’ gender-bending Romeo & Juliet is delightfully frivolous. Dazzling sword play and razor-sharp comedic timing make this show an accessible and exciting introduction to the world of the Bard.
June 14–30, 2007
The Merchant of Venice
SIR joins the Globe Theatre in London, UK, and Stratford Theatre (CA) in presenting Merchant in the 2007 summer season. Here's what they say.Globe Theatre : “Often misunderstood, sometimes vilified, always controversial, ‘The Merchant of Venice’ makes a timely return to the Globe after nine years. Shakespeare dramatises the competing claims of tolerance and intolerance, religion and civil society, justice and mercy, in some of his most electrifying scenes, and in the character of Shylock created one of the most unforgettable outsiders in all theatre.”
Stratford Festival : “An explosive tale of vengeance and betrayal, and the twice- blessed mercy that heals them both.”
Shakespeare In The Ruins : “Shakespeare’s genius lies in his ability to argue rigorously on both sides of an issue. His plays don’t tell us what to think, they force us to grapple with tough issues. He gives us questions, not answers.”
May 3–19, 2007
A Midsummer Night's Dream
An Early Festive Comedy
The main plot of Midsummer is a complex farce that involves two sets of couples (Hermia & Lysander and Helena & Demetrius) whose romantic intrigues are confused and complicated still further by entering the forest where Oberon, the King of the Fairies and his Queen, Titania, preside. Puck (or Robin Goodfellow) is a major character who is full of mischief and tricks. Other visitors to the enchanted forest include Bottom the weaver and his friends Snug, Snout, Quince and Flute who want to rehearse their dire but hilarious rendering of the play Pyramus and Thisbe.
The themes illustrated in the play are that Love triumphs in the end and the pleasure of Dreaming the Impossible Dream.
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