Michael Hollingsworth's War of 1812 at Stratford

If I were to recommend one must-see production at this year's 60th season of the Stratford Festival, it would be VideoCabaret's The War of 1812 (The History of the Village of the Small Huts: 1812-1815). Not only is it timely (we've just begun a two-year period of commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the war), but it's part of an unparalleled project in Canadian theatre. The History of the Village of the Small Huts is a multi-decade series that tells the entire history of Canada in a unique manner that somewhat resembles a circus inside a shoebox viewed through a tiny peephole with a pinlight.

The visionary Michael Hollingsworth, with creative support from Deanne Taylor, has devoted much of the past 30 years to the cycle. This is the first time that it's been staged in a theatre of a magnitude that begins to approach the scope of his imaginings. Wisely, instead of recasting with Stratford regulars, this production uses veterans of VideoCabaret's distinctive acting idiom, a stylized satirical performance that demands great timing both in the sense of getting the comedic style to gel and literally, in order to be in the right place when the lights go on or off. They are Greg Campbell, Richard Alan Campbell, Richard Clarkin, Mac Fyfe, Jacob James, Linda Prystawska, Anand Rajaram and Michaela Washburn.

The brilliant (and frequently award-winning) costumes – pictured above – are by Astrid Janson with Melanie McNeill. There are astonishing wigs by Ward's Island's resident queen of coiffure Alice Norton and hyperbolic props by puppeteer Brad Harley, with set and lights by Andy Moro.

The War of 1812 runs to August 12. For tickets and further information, call l-800-567-1600 or 519-273-1600, or visit Stratford.

Photo credit: Andrew Eccles, courtesy of the Stratford Festival. Left to right: Robert King, Michaela Washburn and Wayne Best.