“When shall we three meet again, In thunder, lightening, or in rain?” – Opening lines of Macbeth. If you are a fan of modern and classical plays then Montgomery is the place for you. The Alabama Shakespeare Festival (ASF) is the 7th largest in the world, attracting people from more than 60 countries. There is no question of ‘to come or not to come’ but simply book your cheap flights to USA in order to catch one of these amazing productions in time.
This festival originated in 1972 in Anniston as a simple summer-stock theatre project in the Anniston High School Auditorium. Critics believed that this would not survive as it lacked proper footing to become a proper festival. Then finally in 1985 as the play qualities improved enough to generate captivation and acclaim Mr. and Mrs. Winton Blount who were a fan of their plays gifted a proper performing arts complex in Montgomery. This was set in a 250-acre landscaped park and is a 750-seat Festival Stage and a 225-seat Octagonal theatre.
The ASF operates all year around and its professional repertory company produces an average of 6 to 9 productions annually. These typically include at least 3 plays by William Shakespeare and the other plays sample various genres from different playwrights that may be classical or modern. Usually they tend to promote Southern works and often feature new plays that reflect the Southern theme.
The next listings are for a children’s play called “A Christmas Memory” and is scheduled to start on 25th Nov till 24th Dec 2011. Different plays will continue throughout the year such as ‘The 39 Steps’ between 27th Jan – 19th May 2012, ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’ between 13th Apr – 18th May 2012, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ between 21st Apr – 20th May 2012 and many more. With ticket prices ranging between $50 to $25 it makes for a pleasant evening watching kingdoms rise and fall and fictional worlds created and mutilated in the comedies, Fates decided in tragedies and much much more.
This non-profit regional theatre brings you a festival aimed at producing a class of inspiring Shakespeare and many classics, creative new works, intriguing children’s theatre, amusing musicals and more to the south east. Plan out your trip and just like your airline tickets you can even book your seats for the play online and become a part of this amazing tradition down south in the warm and friendly Montgomery Alabama.
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