Shakespeare

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Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner: Stratford, Ontario

Photo by Mandeep Flora

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner is our series highlighting the best local restaurants across Canada. Today we are featuring top restaurant picks in Stratford, in southwestern Ontario, known for its picturesque streets, Shakespeare festival and modern-day Romeo, Justin Bieber.

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By Waheeda Harris

Breakfast

Despite this resto’s moniker, the first meal of the day can be savoury and sweet at Let Them Eat Cake. Choose from a multitude of options such as the de rigeur eggs and toast, eggs benedict, waffles, pancakes or Stratford scrambles to make sure you get protein, carbs, vitamins and minerals in one bite. Head over to the town’s main street, Ontario Street, pick up a Balzac’s Coffee and stroll the strip of boutiques and galleries.

Let Them Eat Cake, 23 Albert Street, Stratford, 519-508-2253

Lunch

For the midday break, choose from the sustainable and tasty fish and seafood options at Simple Fish and Chips. From the traditional battered halibut or haddock, diners can also choose from Ontario lake yellow perch and lake pickerel, lobster risotto, mac ‘n’ cheese, pot pie or halibut dishes inspired by spicy Indian, Thai or Jamaican influences. Walking along the Avon River and admiring the swans will be a perfect post-lunch afternoon excursion.

Simple Fish and Chips, 118 Downie Street, Stratford, 519-275-0400

Dinner

Reward yourself before or after a visit to the Stratford Festival with a sumptuous meal at this modern French bistro. The daily menu reflects the seasonal offerings of Perth County and the inventiveness of Chef Aaron Linley, and the pretty interior and excellent service is sure to put any diner at ease. Save room for a sweet treat to finish the meal, made in-house by Chef Bronwyn Linley (Aaron’s wife).

Bijou, 105 Erie Street, Stratford, 519-273-5000

Canadian Tourism Commission Releases Signature Experiences Collection

Hopewell Rocks in the Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, Canada. (By Benson Kua)

Ever been asked what are must-see spots by friends visiting from abroad and drawn a blank, or thought about taking a trip to another province but not known what’s on offer besides a city stop? The Canadian Tourism Commission has released their Signature Experiences Collection. The federally funded program has released an initial list of 48 (undoable in 48 hours, so don’t get any ideas of a Guinness-worthy task) attractions to see, spanning east to west. Aimed at high-end tourists from Europe and Australia, they’re not exactly the waterfalls and whale watching your parents took you on when you were kids.

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Hot Dates: Playing in the Park

Shakespeare by the Sea continues another season of free, outdoor theatre in Point Pleasant Park. When the weather turns foul, productions move to the new indoor performance space near the parking lot. The roster includes Comedy of Errors, Measure for Measure and Robin Hood.

Hot Entertainment: Kings of the Stage

Photo by David Cooper

Enjoy an evening of seaside stagecraft at Bard on the Beach (to Sep. 24). Players perform four of Shakespeare’s plays, including Richard III and an adaptation of all three parts of Henry VI (pictured), on open stages with the Vancouver skyline as a backdrop. Make sure to reserve your seats in advance for the best possible view of the royalty of yore.—Amanda Peters

Hot Entertainment: Bard Bonanza

The seaside tents at Bard on the Beach

All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players at seaside summer festival Bard on the Beach (Jun. 2 to Sep. 24). See four of Shakespeare’s plays, including As You Like It and The Merchant of Venice, under open-air tents offering peekaboo views of Vancouver’s skyline. Reserved seating is a welcome addition this year, so buy tickets early for the best spots.—Kristina Urquhart

Hot Date: Modern Day Shakespeare

The new Ottawa Shakespeare Company presents "Hamlet2011."

April 29 and 30 and May 3 to 7. What happens when you combine the traditional script of Hamlet with music by Arcade Fire and Florence + The Machine, and set the play in present day? You get Hamlet2011 by the newly launched Ottawa Shakespeare Company. With indie tunes acting as the soundtrack, this play features modern costumes and sets, making for a performance of the bard’s work that promises to be unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.

Weekend Roundup, March 25th to 27th

Friday: Thrill to the fleet footwork of Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance (photo by Ken Howard)

Friday, March 25
Michael Flatley, who has been aweing audiences for over a decade as the Lord of the Dance returns to the Sony Centre for a mythic tale of Irish folklore that has dazzled over 100 million people worldwide. Don’t miss this classic story of good versus evil expressed through fast-footed dance.

Emerging director Philip McKee of artistic troupe Idée Fixe presents a passionate adaptation of Shakespeare’s King Lear at Harbourfront Centre. As the king comes closer to death, he demands his daughters prove their love to him in order to secure their inheritance. When the most faithful fails to offer concrete evidence of her devotion, Lear banishes her from his home and heart.

Celebrating 40 years of Canadian music, Junofest features over 100 bands in 20 venues over two nights across the city. Catch tunes from such bands as Billy Talent, Die Mannequin and Bedouin Soundclash playing at such concert locations as the Opera House and Phoenix Concert Theatre.

Saturday: Check out the best bikes at the National Motorcycle Show

Saturday, March 26
Turn off your technology and experience Earth Hour at the Ontario Science Centre with a free live stage show from TVOkids entitled Don’t Sit Still. Or, as the lights go out, observe the stars in Toronto’s sky and a special viewing of Saturn through a telescope with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

Rev up your engines and head down to the Better Living Centre for the 30th anniversary of the National Motorcycle Show. View vintage bikes, including the new row of champions, and find everything you need to get geared up for the season.

Celebrate with tequila at Embrujo Flamenco, an authentic Spanish tapas restaurant which this weekend features a special pre-fixe tasting dinner menu with tequila tasters. Sample fare like flambéed shrimp cooked in Cuervo Blanco tequila and a chocolate mousse with Jimador Reposado tequila and orange marmalade. Post-supper fun includes flamenco dancing and a live music show.

Sunday: Applaud your favourite Canadian musicians at the Junos

Sunday, March 27
The Juno Awards mark their 40th anniversary here in Toronto, home of the very first awards show honouring Canadian musicians. Rap superstar Drake hosts a line-up of stellar performances featuring Sarah McLachlan, Broken Social Scene and Hedley, nominated respectively for Best Artist, Group and Album of the Year.

Hurry to the Art Gallery of Ontario for the last week to see the majesty of the Maharaja: The Splendor of India’s Royal Courts. See amazing artworks, royal costumes, jewellery and a life size model elephant enrobed in textiles, trappings and a silver howdah. Don’t miss the afternoon performance by South Asian dance company inDance.

Marvel at the National Ballet of Canada’s premiere performance of Russian choreographer Alexei Ratmansky’s Themes & Variations, Apollo & Russian Seasons. This showcase features three short one-act ballets set to Tchaikovsky’s Orchestral Suite No.3., created by George Balanchine and Igor Stravinsky with a score by Leonid Desyatnikov.

Hot Date: Falstaff

Dean Paul Gibson as Falstaff. Photo by David Cooper

A rogue and a scoundrel who leads Prince Hal astray, Sir John Falstaff has nonetheless always been adored by Shakespeare’s audiences. A new play adapts sections of Henry IV, Parts I&II to tell the cowardly knight’s full story. See it at Bard on the Beach (to Sep. 22), which also features Much Ado About Nothing, Antony and Cleopatra and Henry V.—Sheri Radford

Hot Date: Retelling Romeo

The Dream in High Park's outdoor stage (photo by Chris Gallow)

TO SEPTEMBER 5 In the heart of Toronto’s picturesque High Park, Shakespeare’s famous drama, Romeo and Juliet, takes shape in a modern play-within-a-play adaptation created for the Canadian Stage TD Dream in High Park, an annual summer-theatre tradition. This year’s offering sees travelling performers stranded at a Verona train station; to pass the time, the thespians break into a retelling of the Bard’s romantic tragedy, utilizing items such as iPods and suitcases as props on the outdoor stage. High Park Amphitheatre, Tuesday to Sunday, 8 p.m., pay-what-you-can admission (suggested minimum $20), children 14 and under free; call 416-367-1652 or visit here for more information.

Hot Dates: Much Ado About Nothing

Photo of Jennifer Lines and John Murphy in Much Ado About Nothing by David Cooper

Shakespeare is at his comedic best in this frothy play filled with matchmaking, mischief and merriment. It runs all season long at Bard on the Beach (Jun. 17 to Sep. 25), the annual tented festival in Vanier Park. Also on offer this summer: Antony and Cleopatra (Jun. 16 to Sep. 24), Falstaff (Jul. 1 to Sep. 22) and Henry V (Jul. 14 to Sep. 24). There’s no better way to enjoy the Bard’s works than outside in the fresh air, cuddled under a fleece blanket, warm despite the cool breeze off the ocean.—Sheri Radford