Since I was a little girl, with a generous mother and grandmother who shared their love of live theatre, I cherish experiences that allow me to reconnect with that sense of wonder and inspiration, to watch stories that capture my imagination and suspend my beliefs with the magic of sets, lights, costumes and, often, music.
Art really does make us better people. I think we underestimate the need for performances, music, images and words as nourishment for our souls.
My first theatre experience this summer was Elora Community Theatre’s performance of The Secret Garden, where our daughter joined the cast for a production in the beautiful outdoor theatre space at the Elora Centre for the Arts. A beautiful setting for a timeless tale. A lovely cast. Biased, but my girl nailed it.
Community theatre showcases local talent and provides opportunity for creatives. I’m grateful that communities across Wellington County have dedicated volunteers who put on productions that are worth the price of admission. I’m also grateful we have venues to put on these shows. Culture is a worthwhile investment in our collective need to tell and share stories. It makes our communities stronger.
But my theatre-obsessed daughter also needs her Toronto fix, so this season’s treat was Beetlejuice – The Musical at the Ed Mirvish Theatre. It’s the musical you didn’t know you needed, but you did.
Our semi-annual trips to Toronto are a girls’ weekend adventure and we pack a lot in. It’s not a cheap experience, so I always have high expectations. Despite my doubts, Beetlejuice – The Musical was worth the trip. It’s a hilarious, high-energy show with a twist on the movie’s plot, but with all the ridiculousness you’d expect if you’re a fan.
I enjoyed the escapism. I didn’t think about work, responsibilities or the wild world outside of those theatre doors. My mind was transfixed to the stage. Impressive, indeed. My daughter loved it so much she went back and saw it again that same night, solo, because she can do that. I went back to the hotel and put my feet up because keeping up with her requires an athleticism that, if I’m honest, I’ve never really had.
Then, the Bard himself got me revved up. As soon as I heard The Tragedy of Macbeth was on the playbill, I had to go. Macbeth is my favourite of all Shakespeare’s writings. A story of betrayal and power that is as timely now as it was when penned.
This modern adaptation set the story in the context of a motorcycle gang, with its hierarchy, codes of honour and loyalty with the pack. The evolution of Macbeth (all hail Tom McCamus) in the gang, driven to succeed by Lady Macbeth (the incredibly talented Lucy Peacock) as a biker’s wife works so well it shocked me. Not three minutes into the production, I was hooked. I was along for the ride, and though I knew the ending well, I fell into the plot and the characters anew.
Live theatre makes the world around us disappear just long enough to offer a new perspective when the house lights come on.
Life truly does imitate art, and we must keep seeing the beauty in that truth.
