Join our excursion to ONTARIO, CANADA and its spectacular summer theatre festivals. The SHAW FESTIVAL in NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE began in 1962 as a venue for plays by George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries and has expanded to include plays written about the period of Shaw’s lifetime (1856-1950) as well as forgotten treasures by women writers and respected playwrights native to Canada. With William Shakespeare as its foundation, SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL in STRATFORD aims to set the standard for classical and contemporary theatre in North America. We have included five plays and as well as optional selections at both festivals, There will be ample time to enjoy the galleries, gardens, boutiques and restaurants that enhance these two charming towns during this spectacular festival season. In addition we will enjoy the splendid countryside of New York State with stops in CORNING, ROCHESTER, ITHACA and a night on beautiful LAKE CANANDAIGUA.

SHAW FESTIVAL

TUESDAY, JULY 6 - Depart the Philadelphia area and enjoy a box lunch enroute to CORNING, NEW YORK. We have planned a brief visit to the CORNING MUSEUM OF GLASS, whose collections are the most celebrated in the world. By late afternoon we will arrive in charming NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE where we will check in at the QUEEN’S LANDING HOTEL for a three-night stay. Dinner is included this evening.

OPTIONAL EVENING PERFORMANCE: THE WOMEN, the 1930’s Broadway hit by Clare Booth Luce.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 7 - The morning is free for you to enjoy the ambiance of NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, an exceptionally pretty town known for its abundance of flowers, boutiques, galleries and restaurants.

AFTERNOON INCLUDED PERFORMANCE - ONE TOUCH OF VENUS with music by Kurt Weill, lyrics by Ogden Nash, book by Ogden Nash and SJ Perlman.

OPTIONAL PLANS WILL BE MADE FOR DINNER EACH EVENING WHEN IT IS NOT INCLUDED.

EVENING INCLUDED PERFORMANCE – Anton Chekhov’s classic, THE CHERRY ORCHARD, adapted by contemporary Irish playwright, TOM MURPHY.

THURSDAY, JULY 8 - The day is yours to enjoy a backstage tour at the FESTIVAL THEATRE or a visit to a nearby winery. Or, you may wish to attend optional performances of

HALF AND HOUR (11.30AM) - a lunchtime offering by J. M. Barrie about a woman who has only a half an hour to change her life.

HARVEY (2.00PM) - Mary Chase’s Pulitzer prize winning play made famous by Jimmy Stewart’s portrayal of protagonist Elwood Dowd in the 1950s.

EVENING INCLUDED PERFORMANCE – JOHN BULL’S OTHER ISLAND by George Bernard Shaw, a comedy in which two friends who are business partners travel to Ireland with a business deal in mind.

STRATFORD SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

FRIDAY, JULY 9 – Depart NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE for STRATFORD and check in at the charming ARDEN PARK HOTEL. You will be in walking distance of the center of this thriving small city with its unique history and year-round thespian influence! Relax this afternoon or attend

OPTIONAL AFTERNOON PERFORMANCE - JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS, the haunting, humorous, always dramatic songs of the Belgian troubadour.

INCLUDED EVENING PERFORMANCE – WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S THE TEMPEST with the legendary CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER in the role of PROSPERO, definitely a highlight of the trip! Dinner is also included this evening.

SATURDAY, JULY 10 - Enjoy a guided tour of the city this morning followed by an optional backstage tour of the FESTIVAL THEATRE. Continue your exploration of STRATFORD this afternoon or attend

OPTIONAL AFTERNOON PERFORMANCE - WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S A WINTER’S TALE.

EVENING INCLUDED PERFORMANCE - DO NOT GO GENTLE, a play about the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas starring veteran Stratford actor Geraint Wyn Davis.

SUNDAY, JULY 11 – Departing Stratford this morning, we will make a stop to see NIAGARA FALLS. A scenic drive along Lake Ontario will take us to Rochester, New York where we will visit the MEMORIAL ART GALLERY of the University of Rochester. Travelling south to the magnificent FINGER LAKES, we will spend the night at CANANDAIGUA INN ON THE LAKE. Dinner is included.

MONDAY, JULY 12 - Our homeward drive will take us by breathtaking Lakes Seneca and Cayuga. We will pass through ITHACA, the home of CORNELL UNIVERSITY, before we arrive in Philadelphia in the early evening.

TOUR COST: $2445.00 per person, double occupancy. The single supplement is $675.00. We will make every effort to find you a roommate if you are interested.

INCLUDED FEATURES: six nights accommodations as described in the itinerary including tax and porterage; three dinners, one lunch, four full breakfasts; all transportation by deluxe motor coach from the Philadelphia area; admission costs for included sightseeing; five theatre tickets. The trip will be escorted by a representative from Excursions from the Square.

SPACE IS LIMITED to 34 participants. Please complete the coupon below and mail it with a deposit of $450 to Excursions from the Square, P.O. Box 2189, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Final payment is due no later than Friday, April 16, 2010. We accept checks as well as VISA, MASTERCARD and AMERICAN EXPRESS for payment. Refunds may be made up to April 16 less an administrative fee of $450. Thereafter, the cost of the trip is non-refundable unless a replacement is found. Trip cancellation insurance is available from EXCURSIONS FROM THE SQUARE. Costs are based upon a minimum of fifteen participants and an exchange rate of $1.00US = $1.00 Canadian.

Technical Contact: Sean Woods