Five for Twenty (Or Less)

This week’s edition of Cheap Theatre has five shows for you to watch that cost under $20. This week’s theme is “The Great Outdoors” – featuring shows which are performed outside! So grab your sunglasses and a comfy blanket, and have some fun in the sun while watching live theatre.

THE CHERRY ORCHARD by Anton Chekhov (Guildwood Festival Theatre). Chekhov’s play about an aristocratic family in financial trouble is presented outdoors. Opens Jul 7 and runs to Jul 31, Wed-Sun 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $20, kids under 12 free. Guild Inn Gardens, Greek Theatre, 201 Guildwood Pkwy. 416-392-1421,guildfestivaltheatre.ca.

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS by William Shakespeare (Humber River Shakespeare Co). Mistaken identities lead to trouble in this comedy presented outdoors. Jul 23 at 7 pm. Pwyc. Etienne Brulé Park, Bloor W at Riverside. 416-209-2026, humberrivershakespeare.ca.

LYSISTRATA – THE SEX STRIKE adapted by Germaine Greer (Hart House Theatre/Canopy Theatre). Aristophanes’s Greek comedy about women who withhold sex until the men end the wars gets an outdoor staging. Opens Jul 20 and runs to Aug 6, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $10, stu/srs $8, Wed pwyc. Philosopher’s Walk, 80 Queen’s Park. 416-978-8849, canopytheatre.ca.

THE PEDALER’S WAGER (Clay & Paper Theatre). The theatre and CYCLOPS troupes present a production featuring puppets and bicycles. Opens Jul 20 and runs to Aug 14, Wed-Sun 7 pm, mat Fri 2 pm (weekend mobile matinees at 2 pm; see website for details). Pwyc ($10 suggested). Dufferin Grove Park, Dufferin S of Bloor.clayandpapertheatre.org/cyclops.

THE WINTER’S TALE by William Shakespeare (Canadian Stage Dream in High Park). A jealous king puts his wife on trial in this outdoor production. Opens Jun 28 and runs to Sep 4, Tue-Sun 8 pm. Pwyc ($20 sugg); under 14 free. High Park Amphitheatre, Bloor W and Parkside. canadianstage.com/dream.