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.

Anandam Dancetheatre's Divergent Dances

From July 24 to 28, the multidisciplinary and cross-cultural dance company Anandam Dancetheatre presents Divergent Dances for Walls and Windows, the second installment in their ongoing Precipice series, which explores "our relationships to each other through the lens of public space, urban architecture, participatory arts practices and gravity".

The production takes place at the Bata Shoe Museum (327 Bloor Street West), and it uses the whole building, inside and out. It even makes use of the sloping walls of the arresting building – expect to see dancers rappelling their way through the work on ropes. Divergent Dances for Walls and Windows is choreographed by company director Brandy Leary (pictured) to the compositions of James Bunton. For tickets or more information, visit Anandam.

Photo credit: Walter Lai

Eifman St. Petersburg Ballet Presents Rodin

Whoa, check out this video clip of Boris Eifman’s choreography for the ballet Rodin, which is based on the life of French sculptor Auguste Rodin (of "The Thinker" fame).

I'm usually a little cynical when I hear that a ballet is "sexy" – especially when it comes from Russia, a bastion of traditional, formal ballet. However, this one looks very fresh and energetic, and it's set to exuberantly passionate music by Saint-Saëns, Massenet and Ravel

Rodin runs from May 23 to 25 of 2013 at the Sony Centre For The Performing Arts. Tickets go on sale this year, May 26, 2012. To find out more, call 1-855-872-7669 or visit the Sony Centre.

Cavalia's Odysseo Extended to September 9

Cavalia's latest equestrian spectacle Odysseo is extending its Toronto run again due to strong ticket sales. For tickets and further information, call 866-999-8111 or visit Cavalia.

Photo by JF Leblanc.

Volunteer for The Encampment at Fort York during Luminato

From June 8 to 24, Fort York will be the setting for an ambitious installation, part of Luminato 2012, commemorating the bicentennial of the War of 1812. The Encampment is "temporal village" consisting of 200 A-frame tents (like the ones that have already been set up in the photo above). Each one will contain a visual representation of some aspect of the war’s civilian history; the site will also be animated with music, bonfires and storytelling every night.

Fort York is seeking volunteers to help out evenings from 7 to 11 p.m. during The Encampment as Heritage Hosts and Garrison Greeters, who will represent the face of Fort York. Training will be provided. To find out more, call 416-392-6907, ext. 226 or email Fort York.

The Encampment is a project of Thom Sokoloski and Jenny-Anne McCowan, and produced by Sherrie Johnson Productions

DanceWorks CoWorks Presents LINK Dance Foundation

On May 25 and 26, LINK Dance Foundation performs Experiments - where logic and emotions collide, a work about science and dance, at the Winchester Street Theatre in Cabbagetown. In an interview with Lucy Rupert, creator Gail Lotenberg says that "Each section in the dance revolves around a key fascination or area of achievement of the scientists collaborating on this project. (...) A unifying theme of the work is the abstraction that is used commonly by scientists and artists to express our deepest insights."

Part of the DanceWorks CoWorks Series, the performance is choreographed by Lotenberg to music by Jordy Walker, and incorporates the work of actual scientists, both live and via projection. For tickets and further information, contact Danceworks.

Toronto Festival of Clowns

How do you feel about clowns? If the idea of confronting 100 of them in less than a week doesn't terrify you, you'll be pleased to hear that from May 31 to June 3 the seventh annual Toronto Festival of Clowns is running at Pia Bouman Studio Theatre (6 Noble Street, near Queen West and Dufferin).

In past years, the festival has presented the work of some of this city's preeminent clowns, including John Turner (Mump & Smoot), David S. Craig, Rick Roberts, Sue Morrison, Michelle Smith and Dean Gilmour. This year, a highlight will be a work by the renowned French Master Clown Teacher Philippe Gaulier, called La gnole de Tante Christine est imbuvable (Betcha Can't Stomach Auntie Christine's Rotgut – my translation). It's in the bouffon style, which means it'll most likely be uncomfortably confrontational... which, in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing, can be great.

Other performers – who will be working in a wide range of clown performance styles – include Christine Lesiak and Adam Keefe from Edmonton, and Torontonians Phil Luzi, Foo, and Morro & Jasp. A full schedule and ticket information are available at Toronto Festival of Clowns.

Photo credit: Kathleen Finlay Photography.