A champagne toast and roaring excitement from both Stratford Festival performers and spectators brought the Festival City back to life.
After a two year pause, the Festival Theatre hosted nearly 2,000 people for the opening performance of Hamlet.
The evening kicked off with a parade from the Stratford Police Pipe and Drums. With cast members of Hamlet preparing backstage for their debut, cast members of Chicago represented the company on the red carpet.
Chelsea Preston, playing Roxie Hart in Chicago, said the premiere was essentially a three year long process, with casting taking place in 2019 and rehearsals in 2020.
“This is my debut season and I am so honoured to be a part of the festival this year,” she said. “It was such a wild ride. I was so excited and thrilled to play Roxie. For someone who is non-binary, to be playing such an iconic role means the world to me.”
Amanda De Freitas, playing Go-To-Hell Kitty in Chicago, said the pandemic delays strengthened her craft.
“It has been very rigorous and challenging but that is why we do it. It is something that challenges our craft and it makes us better at what we do. We can now spread the love to people that have been starving for this form of art for so long,” said De Freitas.
Performing alongside cast members which she refers to as friends and family members, De Freitas said being back on stage feels like home.
“It feels like the flow has been resolved — it feels really, really good,” she said.
The actor looks forward to hearing the audiences applause and guests being touched by their performances.
Chicago Juror, Eric Abel, said he has been waiting for this opening night.
“Ultimately, just seeing everyone finally being able to enjoy the shows that we worked so hard on for so long. Seeing the audience really enjoying the shows will just be the cherry on top,” he said.
Ann Swerdfager, publicity director of the Stratford Festival, said the theatre artists are back at the top of their form after a long hiatus.
“We haven’t been able to dress up in so long. It has been Zoom calls, sweatpants and leggings, so to be in a long gown again and to be with people is such a positive feeling,” said Swerdfager.
A red carpet event will be held Friday and Saturday for the opening performances of Chicago and Richard III. The Saturday premiere will wrap with a 'Celebration of Light' drone show over the Avon River.
