Shakespeare in the Park is always fun in Austin. The Comedy of Errors is also a good play to watch as the sun sets on the Zilker Hillside Theater and the cool night air begins to set in. This play can be seen through May 28th if you find yourself near Austin.
This performance of Romeo & Juliet is happening at Ramsey Park in Austin and is staged by Something for Nothing Theater Company. It is Shakespeare at the most raw – a few props, a few lights, and a bare stage in the park. The play was great, the crew was awesome, and I recommend that you check it out if you find yourself in Austin. Bring a blanket, a picnic, and set up camp as close to the stage as possible for a view of the action.
This play by Shakespeare has three more free performances left at the Round Rock Amphitheater. The Comedy of Errors you see here is performed by five actors who move at full speed across the stage and up the staircase in 90 degree temperatures. They are all amazing to watch, and the play is highly entertaining.
The Harry Ransom Center has a small collection of Shakespeare related items on display. This made for a good Sunday outing.
My real reason for visiting San Antonio was to see Shakespeare in the Park. Tonight’s performance was “The Winter’s Tale”. There were kings, queens, lovers, dancers, and even a bear. The story is a good one, so go see the play if you ever have the chance. The Arneson River Theater is magical in itself – with people walking by on the Riverwalk and realizing they are suddenly on the front row of a play, boats full of tourists snapping selfies as they cruise by, ducks floating by and taking no notice to the proceedings, and the lovely outdoor theater. Too much fun!
On Richard Garriott’s lakeside property in Austin, there is a replica of the Globe Theater called the Curtain Theater. A performance of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” was scheduled for tonight, but then the rains came. The show was cancelled at the last minute, and then the rains went away. Oh well, what can you do?
Austin Shakespeare presented “The Taming of the Shrew” at the Zilker Hillside Theater. The setting for the play was the city of Austin in the 1890’s and the surrounding countryside. So, of course, everyone had to wear boots and hats. It was a fun version of Shakespeare, and the play goes on through the month of May if you like outdoor theater, and find yourself in Austin.
The Present Company Theater team presented their version of Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost this evening on a stage above the downtown Whole Foods Market. It is a story of a King and three nobles who fall in love with a Princess and her three ladies. There are complications (of course), and the story ends quite differently than other Shakespeare plays I have seen. The play happens on weekend nights until May 10th according to their website, so check it out if you have the opportunity. It is nice to grab some food and drink at Whole Foods and then watch the sunset as the play begins.
There is a course at UT called Shakespeare at Winedale. The idea is to learn about Shakespeare by performing his plays. We received a small taste of this in the sunny courtyard of Calhoun Hall, and it was fun.
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