Birthday weekend!

So we have an evolving tradition; my sister's and my birthday lies very close to an aunt and uncle's wedding anniversary, and my cousin-in-law's birthday. So for the past several years, there has been a family get-together at Stratford, Ontario for a weekend of holiday theatre-watching at the festival there.

This year was the first year in four that I've been able to attend. It was great to be able to get away, even for a couple of days, watch some plays, and hang out with family. And shop, never forget the shopping. I didn't purchase much, just a few kitchen knick-knacks, and a new wallet. And a lovely shirt and jacket for work.

It's actually been a good summer for theatre. Last month, I drove to Iowa, to watch a friend perform at the Des Moines Metro Opera summer festival production of Nozze di Figaro. And this weekend, while we saw three productions, the highlight had to have been seeing Christopher Plummer as Prospero in The Tempest. In a celebrity sighting moement, Mr. Plummer was staying at the same B&B we were, so while we didn't meet him, we did see him wandering around all weekend (and he graciously signed copies of his autobiography for those in the family who'd purchased it).

It was astounding to see someone hold the stage the way he did, and to see him inhabit the character and breathe life into Shakespeare's old-fashioned language. And while the rest of the cast was good, it was somewhat amusing to see how much better Mr. Plummer was; he made them all look a little dim when on the stage beside him. A wonderful lesson on stagecraft, and a wonderful evening. And then just as instructive to see him wandering around the next morning in his sweatpants and cool sunglasses looking decidedly ordinary out for his morning constitutional.

And now, I'm back to the grind. I can't believe this rotation is half-over, and in two weeks, I'll be heading back to the US for my last three months of rotations.

It's going to go very quickly!

In any event. Hopefully, I'll be able to go to more theatre. But that may have to wait until I'm done, and have some time off.