BRACEBRIDGE — The popularity of live theatre and opera broadcasts on the big screen has spread to two venues in Bracebridge.
Rene M. Caisse Theatre and Norwood Theatre both have a lineup of live theatre and opera broadcasts this season.
Opera fans have supported the Muskoka Opera Guild initiative to bring the Metropolitan Opera live broadcast in high definition from New York City, said Tara Bartok, marketing manager for Rene Caisse Theatre.
There are 60 to 100 people for each showing, she said.
“It is growing. People are coming from all over to see these operas,” said Bartok.
The Muskoka Opera Guild members previously went to Barrie to watch the live opera shows, but decided to help bring the opera to Bracebridge, Bartok said.
The guild gave the theatre a grant to install the satellite dish enabling it to broadcast the performances, Bartok said. The theatre also had help from theatre supporter Don Skinner who offered to lend his high-definition projector for the shows.
In the fall and winter season, the Rene Caisse had a lineup of nine operas and three UK National Theatre productions.
The Norwood Theatre has been offering opera and ballet from The Royal Opera House Covent Garden and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre this fall and winter.
This is the first full season for the Rene Caisse, but Cineplex has offered the live opera and theatre shows to theatres across Canada for four years, said Georgia Sourtzis, manager of communications for Cineplex.
Sourtzis said the opera is offered live in high definition, the sharpest image currently available. More than 90 theatres across Canada show the Cineplex live shows, she said.
The opera is offered live in real time, while the UK Theatre is live but time shifted, Sourtzis said.
The opera is very popular. “It is doing extremely well,” said Sourtzis, adding it is sold out in many locations.
In addition to seeing the live performance, theatregoers can see behind the scenes at the opera during the performance intermissions.
In Bracebridge patrons can also enjoy hors d’oeuvres from sponsor R&L Bistro in the intermission, said Bartok.
The shows vary in length; some can be five hours.
Each show has an encore presentation date in case poor weather interferes with the satellite signal.
Remaining in this season at Rene Caisse Theatre is Simon Boccanegra by Giuseppe Verdi on Feb. 6 at 1 p.m.; Hamlet by Ambroise Thomas is scheduled for March 27 at 1 p.m.; and Armida by Giaochino Rossini on May 1, at 1 p.m.
There are two UK National Theatre productions left in this season’s lineup: on Jan. 30 at 1 p.m. Nation, based on a novel by Terry Pratchett and adapted by Mark Ravenhill is showing; and on April 22 The Habit of Art, a new play by Alan Bennett is scheduled.
For ticket information contact the theatre at 645-8400 or visit the website at www.renemcaissetheatre.ca.
At the Norwood Theatre, Shakespeare’s As You Like It is scheduled for Jan. 31. For more information see the Norwood website at www.norwoodtheatre.com.