The Shakespeare Tavern: Eat, drink and be merry with the Bard
Published: Feb 24, 2009
Walking into the Tudor-inspired New American Shakespeare Tavern is a little like meeting up with the Bard himself — in an era when good food, good ale and excellent entertainment ruled the day.
Welcome to Shakespeare 101: You can't help but enjoy yourself.
The Atlanta Shakespeare Company was founded in the early 1980s with the idea that Shakespearean plays could be truly understood only within the world in which they were created — meaning atmosphere and set design would be as important as good acting.
The Shakespeare Tavern in Atlanta was able to recreate that authentic Shakespearean world. Through casting, major remodeling and the addition of plays over the years, the ASC has created a Tavern much loved by theater-goers.
Its classic British pub menu and old English village stage allow the audience to lose itself in a richly detailed environment. You can't help but be drawn down off Peachtree Street and into the streets of Romeo and Juliet's Verona, or whereever the plot may lead.
Outstanding performances by ASC actors often lead to standing ovations. And by not taking itself too seriously, the Shakespeare Tavern's troupe invites guests to have fun, too.
While Shakespeare is the heart and soul of the theater, the ASC also performs other classic playwrights, such as Tennessee Williams and Christopher Marlowe.
The Tavern is divided into three viewing sections: the main floor, box seats and the balcony. With the theater's intimate size, there doesn't seem to be a bad seat in the house.
Guests will be delighted by the Chef of a Night Catering, which offers fare such as Shepherd's Pie, Cheddar Ale Chowder, Cornish Pasty and of course an abundance of tasty ales.
Be sure to leave room for one of their famous desserts (Hot Fudge Pudding Cake with ice cream or Hot Apple Crisp with ice cream) during intermission.
The overall experience keeps people coming back again and again.
Reservations are highly encouraged and tickets can be purchased online or over the phone. The Shakespeare Tavern provides matinee performances geared for students and field trips, special workshops for schools and more. Find details at the company's Education webpage. The Atlanta Shakespeare Company also provides online study guides to Shakespeare's plays.
- by Christine Foster, Atlanta Reporter for HelloMetro
(Click to leave a message)
