On Stage

on -mm STAGE^** "^^JUDITHHSHER Queen's University 1995 seemed to be a year for falling off stages. I have now banned "Break a leg!" from my list of good wishes to fellow actors on opening night, or, in my case, "Dislocate a knee!" But regardless of body parts, here we are at festival time again and, to make up for missing the last issue, I've included several plays and adaptations you might want to see if your travels include European as well as North American festivals. EDMONTON, ALBERTA: Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen Citadel Theatre, Edmonton· dates not confirmed · An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde Citadel Theatre, Edmonton· dates not confirmed · The Gtadel Theatre is also planning Lemer and Loewe's My Fair Lady, the musical version of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, for their 96-97 season. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBU: Ghosts by Henrik ibsen Vancouver Playhouse· 14 October - 9 November · This is a co-production with Edmonton's Gtadel Theatre. NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, SHAW FESTIVAL: The Shaw Festival will mail its handbook and brochure on request Telephone: (905) 468-2153 or 1-800-511-7429; Fax: (905) 468-5438. The Devil's Disciple by George Bernard Shaw Festival Theatre· 1 May - 27 October · Hobson's Choice by Harold Brighouse Festival Theatre· 19 June - 26 October · Directed by Christopher Newton An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde Court House Theatre· 5 May - 21 July · Directed by Citadel Theatre's new Artistic Director, Duncan Mcintosh 94Victorian Review The Simpleton of the Unexpected Isles by George Bernard Shaw Court House Theatre· 22 June - 27 September · Shall We Join the Ladies? by J.M. Barrie Royal George Theatre· 26 June - 22 September · Directed by Christopher Newton and Denis Johnston STRATFORD FESTIVAL, ONTARIO: The Stratford Festival will mail its brochure, which includes the Visitors' Guide, on request Telephone: (519) 273-1600 or 1-800-567-1600; Fax: (519) 273-6173. A Fitting Confusion by Georges Feydeau Avon Theatre· 17 May - 14 September · Translated by Norman R. Shapiro, wiht music by Berthold Carrière, and directed by Richard Monette. Diane D'Aquila, Barry MacGregor, and Stephen Ouimette star. STRATFORD FESTIVAL also has a CELEBRATED WRITERS SERIES which you might want to include as you plan your visit: At the Tom Patterson Theatre at 10:30 a.m.: Judith Thompson on June 30; Jane Smiley on August 1 1; and Jane Urquhart on September 8. At the Avon Theatre at 10:30 a.m.: Harold Bloom on July 21; Janet Turner Hospital on October 6. ONTARIO: Ma Belle Mabel by Cindy Cowan Blyth Festival· 26 June - 29 August · A new play about Alexander Graham Bell and his future wife Mabel Hubbard. First produced on Cape Breton Island by the Mulgrave Road Co-Op Theatre. The Incredible Murder of Cardinal Tosca by Nowlan & Learning Thousand Islands Playhouse, Ganonoque · 25 July - 25 August · A melodrama based on Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes mysteries, in which I shall be playing the housekeeper Mrs. Hudson. The Hound of the Baskervilles by Tun Kelly Huron Country Playhouse, Grand Bend· 16 July - 27 July · An adaptation of one of the classic Sherlock Holmes mysteries by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. On Stage95 Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Grand Theatre, London· 3 December - 28 December · Jane Eyre by John Caird and Paul Gordon Royal Alexandra Theatre, Toronto· November 1996 - January 1997 · A new musical based on Charlotte Bronte's novel. Designed by John Napier of Les Mis, Miss Saigon, and Cats fame. NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde Ethel Barrymore Theatre· opened 1 May · Peter Hall's revival from London starrting Martin Shaw, Michael Denison and Dulcie Gray. WESTON, VERMONT, UNITED STATES: Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw Weston Playhouse· 29 August - 7 September · This production will also tour New England after its Weston performances. CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE, SUSSEX, ENGLAND: Mansfield Park by Jane Austen Main Theatre· 22 May - 20 July · A little early I know, but Austenmania is catching. This adaptation is directed by Michael Rudman. Fortune's Fool by Ivan Turgenev Main Theatre· 21 August - 14 September · Adapted by Mike Poulton and directed by Gale Edwards. Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov Minerva Theatre· 3 July - 27...