A Different Tragedy

I suppose that they're a blessing and a curse of the Internet Age--the Orwellian Big Brother-esque targeted banner ads.You know the sort, no doubt.  You access a web page and shortly thereafter adverts from it begin to appear in the margins whenever you check your e-mail.  This was the case following my purchase of tickets for the 2015 Stratford Festival.  Up popped an ad--See King Lear in HD, one night only!  This ad was worth further investigation...and subsequent action.

The "one night only" was a Fathom Events big-screen broadcast of King Lear from the 2014 Stratford Festival.  The production starred Colm Feore in the title role.  Although I might have gone to the show anyway, knowing who would be Lear was the tipping point.  After all, I had seen him in several different stage and TV productions, including season 2 of Slings & Arrows (see 1/18/15 post).  As I was to discover, Stephen Ouimette, another cast member of S&A, played The Fool.

The production was fabulous all-around.  It was the first time that I had seen Lear done on stage (albeit filmed), and it certainly set the bar very high.  The acting and directing were superb.  The big screen film viewing, while not the same as seeing the play live, was an excellent way to see Stratford do Lear.  It was a great evening, courtesy of an annoying banner ad.

It also made me that much more excited for the 2015 Stratford season.  Could July come just a bit sooner?