Jan 08 2009
Romeo and Juliet returns to the libraries
The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival has scheduled more performances of its winter touring show, Romeo and Juliet.
The Festival is best known for its summer shows in the park, which have large casts and elaborate sets, costumes, and staging. The winter touring show is on a smaller scale. The play is condensed down to an hour, and five actors play all of the roles. The set consists of one painted backdrop, used if the space in the venue permits.
After the show, the actors talk about the play with the audience, and answer questions. They make a special effort to reach out to children. At the performance I went to in November, at least half the audience members were kids, and they seemed to enjoy the play a lot — especially the sword-fighting.
The space available for performances in the different library branches varies. Some spaces are small. So if you want to make sure to get a seat, get there a bit early. (If you get bored while you wait, you can always find something to read — it’s a library!)
In addition to the library branches, there will also be a show at the Center for Learning in Retirement, which is downtown on Market Street.
Dates and locations for shows within San Francisco are below. The Festival advises that you confirm the times with the venues.
Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 2:00 pm — Glen Park Library
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 4:00 pm — Chinatown Library
Friday, March 13, 2009 at 1:15 pm — Center for Learning in Retirement
Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 2:00 — Ortega Library
For more information, see the Shakespeare Festival on Tour page. (scroll down for public performance schedule)
The Festival has also announced that their summer play this year will be The Comedy of Errors, which they say will “be staged in a circus motif, with juggling, acrobatics, and antic comedy!” That’s something to look forward to!
