Stratford, in Ontario, is a town that knows how to make itself more than a stop but a destination. Without going into all the details, Stratford chased and embraced the dream of the English theatre director and stage legend, Tyrone Guthrie.
At the time, Stratford was known mainly as a place specializing in repairing steam locomotives. In other words, Stratford was facing economic disaster. Today the locomotive repair facilities are long closed and the theatre arts are the big driver of the local economy.
But great theatre is not enough to propel a town forward decade after decade. London, Ontario, can attest to that -- but that is another story. If you want to find a fine restaurant, think Stratford. And the town does not just have high-end eateries. You can get a very good shawarma, submarine or burger there as well.
If you cannot afford the theatre, it is not cheap, there are smaller venues with smaller ticket prices. If you only visit the town to enjoy a take-out lunch beside the river, you might be lucky enough to catch a singer giving a fee performance from on a slowly passing boat.
Stratford is lovely and full of lovely surprises.
1 comment:
It has certainly firmly established itself.
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