Steve L. Edwards

OK, I didn’t actually cry, but I did laugh until I was in tears a few times. The images I keep replaying in my mind from last night’s visit to the New American Shakespeare Tavern will stay in my memory for a long time to come.

The troop did a re-imagining of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, and their performance lived up to every bit of the hype I had created for it in my mind.

My wife and I had seats in the balcony, on what resembled old wooden kitchen chairs. A rail ran along in front of us at knee level, where we juggled our plates of wonderful English food (Sheperd’s Pie for me and Cornish Pastry for her), and a pint of marvelous ale. On the stage were simple props–nothing polished or modern–a simple table, a wooden edifice with “Canterbury Tales” written across it, and some rough wooden boxes of varying sizes. There were tables on the floor below, but we, being mere peasants, were in our rightful place. 

From the opening of the first act, I couldn’t help but be awed by their perfectly timed poetry, and the way these actors brought to life a story that was already six hundred years old.

If ever you find yourself in Atlanta, The New American Shakespeare Tavern is a must stop for you. We’re already planning our next visit.

Perhaps one day my writing will be worthy to reach out and touch the hem of greatness I witnessed last night. Can you imagine writing something so special that the retelling of it in the year 2600 could still bring joy to the people who live there?

One more thing: Rivka on your harp? We LOVED you!

Their website: http://www.shakespearetavern.com/index.php