STRATFORD: The Plays and the Place

 

After a two year, COVID-imposed respite, Ontario’s world-famous Stratford Festival is back. And it’s better than ever.

It’s better because in an addition to the stunningly produced plays, the festival just opened their newest theater, The Tom Patterson Theatre.

For many years, the festival had rented a city recreational center located along the banks of the Avon River and built a 500-seat theater inside that was deconstructed each year to make room for badminton courts in the winter.

They finally bought the building, razed it and built a magnificent structure that is artistic, high tech, beautiful and functional. Completed in 2020, the new Tom Patterson has been waiting for two years for enthusiastic audiences to fill up the glittering space with laughter, conversation and applause.

A trip to Stratford is always more than seeing top quality theater, It is also for taking in the charming city itself; its lovely gardens, good restaurants, European-looking downtown area and a picturesque river to walk beside. 

It’s about the plays and the place.