Here are some highlights

from our

2008 tour of Twelfth Night:

Opening Night

at Dick’s Dam Park, Bolton

After months of hard work hitting the pavement and courting media to promote ourselves, we really had no idea how many people would arrive at our first ever public performance.  Our hopes were high, but reality mitigated our expectations and we decided that 40 patrons would be a successful opening.  When over 150 people arrived to take in Twelfth Night under the stars along the banks of the Humber in Bolton, we were speechless……at least until the first scene.  We bowed that evening to a standing ovation, and with hearts full of thanks, we understood that this voyage down the Humber was only the first of many more to come.

A Schomberg Fairgrounds Raincheck

The bleachers were in place, audience members settled in with their picnics, actors in costume, and musicians poised to begin, but the sky above looked ready to betray our efforts on our first evening in Schomberg.  As if on cue, the rain came down the moment we broke for intermission.  Sadly, we were forced to cancel the remainder of the performance.  The following evening looked just as chancy, but the sky suddenly opened just as the first lines were uttered. At intermission, the parking area suddenly busied with the arrival of more vehicles.  To our surprise and joy, the patrons from the previous evening had returned for the rest of the story.

Arts Etobicoke’s 35^th Anniversary

We were thrilled to help host Arts Etobicoke’s garden party celebration at our Etobicoke home, Montgomery’s Inn.  The champagne glasses clinked while party-goers mingled with local politicians as we prepared for our Toronto opening of Twelfth Night.  After opening words from Mayor David Miller, the audience gathered to take in our performance under the stars. 

Humber River Shakespeare has gone to the Dickens 

In the spirit of the holidays, Humber River Shakespeare is presenting a staged reading of A Christmas Carol this December 5^th and 6^th.  Arranged from the original text by our company member Sean Wayne Doyle and staged by Artistic Director Kevin Hammond, A Christmas Carol is told by five actors (Sara Moyle, Kevin Hammond, Sean Wayne Doyle, Christopher Kelk, and Claire Frances Muir) in Victorian costume as part of two outstanding community events:

Friday December 5^th @ 6pm - Montgomery’s Inn, Etobicoke

Join us around the fire in the ballroom at Montgomery’s Inn for the Dickens classic which will feature traditional Victorian music and dance.  Then continue the traditional holiday experience with an Old Tyme Carol Sing in the Inn’s tavern.

Saturday December 6^th @ 6:30 pm - A Main Street Christmas, Schomberg

This annual holiday street festival is a truly magical experience that draws visitors from afar. Enjoy caroling, local artisans, food and hot cider, reindeer, a parade… and then gather on hay bails before a fire for our outdoor reading.

Touring Summer 2009

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Meet Our Board

 We are pleased to announce our new Board of Directors for Humber River Shakespeare:

Peter McKinnon is an Associate Professor of Stagecraft, Theatre Management, Design and Production at York University and a King Township resident.  Peter has produced award winning theatre internationally and on Broadway, and currently sits on the executive committee of the International Organization of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians as well as numerous theatre companies.  Peter’s experience as a theatre producer, designer, and teacher, are invaluable.

Grace Peacock is currently Managing Editor of The Etobicoke Guardian and Bloor West Villager newspapers. Before joining the Toronto Community News team, Grace was involved in a key 2007 provincial election campaign, worked as a reporter at a daily newspaper in Amman, Jordan, and was a senior reporter for a community newspaper in Caledon. She holds a MA in Journalism, with a specialization in Television Broadcasting, from The University of Western Ontario and a BA in Political Science and Communications from Wilfrid Laurier University. She currently lives in Toronto's west end and when not busy with her media role, enjoys attending community arts events, exercising her skill at photography and traveling.

Maureen Richardson is a retired English and Drama teacher from King Township.  She was the former President of the King Chamber of Commerce, and was named ‘King Resident of the Year’ in 2008 for her dedication to the community, through the Chamber of Commerce, Public Library, Kingfest, Communities in Bloom, Victoria Day celebrations, and parks and recreation.  Maureen is a Shakespeare enthusiast with deep community connections.

Christopher Rowley is a York Region resident and the co-founder, producer, and director of Cream Productions – an internationally recognized and award-winning documentary film house.  Chris has worked with directors such as Polanski and Truffaut, on classic television series such as The Avengers and The Prisoner, has won awards at Cannes and Venice for his work in the field of TV advertising, and continues to produce and direct film and television for National Geographic, Alliance Atlantis, CBC, and the Discovery Channel.