Keep Shakespeare part of the theater

7/13/08
Would it be the Shakespeare Theater without Shakespeare?
According to recent reports, the Stratford Town Council may award the contract to revive and operate the long-shuttered theater to a Rhode Island producer who has said he doesn’t believe Shakespeare would sell in the 21st century.
That producer, William J. Hanney, is entitled to his opinion, but officials should think carefully before dismissing the theater’s original purpose. To be fair, Hanney has promised to put on one or two Shakespeare productions a year, but that isn’t sufficient. This is not just any theater.
The council faces a difficult challenge. The theater was once an international draw, but today attracts only vandals. The facility once put Stratford on par with other communities of the same name around the world, but has fallen so far into disrepair that millions of dollars will be required just to get it back to the starting block.
So the first priority has to be someone who can get the place open. After almost two decades with only a hint of theater inside, the town needs to ensure financial stability and demand a track record of success.
But with a facility so steeped in history, the town must also consider the past — and the future. If Shakespeare becomes an afterthought, the theater will become one, as well. If Stratford isn’t known for its English namesake’s most famous denizen, there is little reason to predict the theater’s long-term success.
Regardless of the Town Council’s decision, due on Monday, the town will face thorny issues. For starters, much of what was once theater parking has been sold and developed in the past 20 years, making for a severe shortage in the event the theater reopens. Also, the problems that have dogged other potential operators will continue to bedevil whoever is chosen this time around. Running a theater soundly is no easy task.
But it’s also far past time to get moving. The council needs to pick the operator with the best chance of running the theater successfully, but also mandate that Shakespeare productions play a major role. There’s no need to exclude other shows, but Shakespeare needs to be more than a token presence.
After all these years, it’s time to make Stratford proud again. There are a number of interesting, qualified candidates to take the theater back to its glory days. It will be a difficult path, but one worth taking, for Stratford and the region.
And if this next attempt fails, maybe it’s time to forget about reviving the facility.