Happy Birthday DJM & "Dream" in the Park

Last night we went to see ahrdi zina mandiela's production of CanStage's "Dream in High Park". It’s been playing in the coliseum-type open theatre there, a comeback from last year, mandiela's rootsy, modern interpretation of the play having been immensely popular last summer when it was mounted in tribute to the 25th anniversary of CanStage's "Dream". We had a picnic first to celebrate our youngest child's birthday and then seven of us went on to see the play, duly equipped with blankets for sitting on and throws for wrapping up against the slowly creeping autumn cold. mandiela’s interpretation infused the Bard’s script with multi-layered mirthfulness (yep, I mean the mouthful) and the cast gave a fine account of themselves, with Helena and Puck turning in splendid performances. All in all, it was more than worth the suggested donation of $20.00: The cast includes Xuan Fraser as Oberon/Theseus and Jajube Mandiela as Fairy. Both Xuan and Jajube read parts in the most recent workshop of "El Numero Uno" at the Lorraine Kimsa Young People's Theatre (LKYPT). LKYPT commissioned me to write the play a few years ago, and in the past several months it has benefited from a number of workshops, with dramaturgy by LKYPT's gifted Steven Colella. I find the workshop experience very rewarding. ahdri has recently come on board to direct, and the two aforementioned as well as some other great actors have been taking part in the readings. Director, actors, dramaturg and LKTYP's Artistic Director Allen MacInnes are such a pleasure to work with that even if it never makes it to the boards, I will have thoroughly enjoyed the process of making the play. BTW, If you’re in Toronto, do go and see “Dream.” It closes on the 31st.