What to Expect at… County Stage Company

Three geometric trees rest on a pale green and white background. Beneath the trees is a wisp of peach paint.

/By Jessica Watson / May 10, 2023

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Looking for information about your favourite theatres? We’ve got you covered! Intermission’s Insider Intel articles showcase one theatre at a time to give you all the information you need before your visit.

This week: County Stage Company

What kind of theatre do they produce?

County Stage Company is a growing performing arts company which programs a full summer festival of live theatre, comedy, music, and dance in beautiful Prince Edward County. Their work is rooted in the fabric of the community, inspiring creativity, gathering, and pride of place. The company is made up of a team of passionate artists inspired by the romance of Prince Edward County, making theatre for audiences who seek innovative and imaginative work.

Location

For 17 seasons, prominent Canadian artists have gathered to perform against the backdrop of Prince Edward County’s beautiful rural landscapes in the heart of the region’s burgeoning wine and tourist industry. Productions have taken place in a century-old barn, under a tent in an estate vineyard, in a pop-up storefront theatre — even on the shores of Lake Ontario. The festival’s current home is the Eddie Hotel & Farm, a beloved venue in Bloomfield. This year will also see the company expand into Base31, a new experience destination on the site of a former WWII airbase.

For more information on how to find County Stage Company’s venues, or tips for your next trip to Prince Edward County, visit the company’s website.

Venue

The Eddie Pavilion

Situated on the 78-acre Eddie Hotel & Farm property between Wellington and Bloomfield, the Eddie Pavilion is County Stage Company’s entirely open-air theatre. Designed with a thrust stage, the audience is invited to view the show from chairs surrounding the stage.

The festival invites patrons to arrive 30 minutes ahead of their performance time to allow for parking and check-in. Audiences should wear comfortable, sturdy shoes as they will be walking on a gravel and grass. It’s best to come prepared for all types of weather: bringing your own shade in the afternoon is particularly important, possibly a sweater/blanket for end of evening performances. County Stage advises sun hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, and raincoats, and while they have installed mosquito preventer machines around the property, bug repellant is recommended.

Outdoor washrooms are portable toilets on site near our tent. Patrons may also use the fully accessible washrooms in the Red Barn, about four minutes away from the Pavilion.

Sergeant’s Mess Hall

Located at Base 31, an evolving visitor destination on the site of a 70-acre WWII air training base in Prince Edward County, Sergeant’s Mess Hall is an intimate, indoor, cabaret-style event space that offers both preferred table seating and general seating options. All seating is first come, first served, so show up early to nab your spot!

There is free parking onsite, including accessible parking. Food trucks are available on the property near the Sergeants Mess Hall and accessible washrooms are available in the building.

For more information about County Stage Company’s weather policy and to prepare for your visit, check out their website.

Pre-show picnics at The Eddie Hotel & Farm before Flight Festival of Contemporary Dance (2022). People sit at round tables covered with white tablecloths, eating from picnic baskets. It's a sunny day, and the green roofed barn is visible in the background. — *Pre-show picnics at The Eddie Hotel & Farm before Flight Festival of Contemporary Dance (2022).*

COVID-19 Safety Information

County Stage’s commitment to the health and safety of their patrons, artists, and staff continues to be their main guiding principle. Masks are no longer required, but are highly recommended when attending an indoor performance for your safety and for the protection of the artists, staff, and fellow patrons.

Please continue to self-screen prior to arrival at any of County Stage’s venues, and to stay home if you are unwell.

For more information about County Stage’s COVID-19 policies, visit their website.

Accessibility

County Stage is committed to providing accessible services in a manner that maintains the dignity and independence of all their patrons while providing equality of access and integration. That’s why their accessibility plan meets the standards of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005), and is designed to serve the needs of all their patrons.

Visitors requiring general accessibility assistance are invited to speak to the front of house manager, and they or one of the festival’s volunteers would be happy to help. The company recommends that those requiring assistance arrive at least 30 minutes prior to performance or contact the festival at ahead of time to pre-arrange assistance.

For more detailed information on County Stage Company’s accessibility policies at each of their venues, please visit their website.

Ticket Prices

Ticket prices for most of County Stage’s programming starts at $30, and the company offers a limited number of preferred ticket seats that go up to $55. For their 2023 season, County Stage has implemented a new 25 & Under free ticket program, which are subject to availability.

To find out more about County Stage’s ticket policy and purchase tickets to the 2023 festival, visit their website. To find out more about the free 25 & Under program and how to join, click here.

A nighttime view of the Eddie Pavilion. Audiences sit in folding chairs, watching Beau Dixon performing Springhill (2022). The pavilion is lit with soft string lights, illuminating the white structure against a deep blue evening sky. — *A nighttime view of the Eddie Pavilion. Audiences sit in folding chairs, watching Beau Dixon performing* Springhill (2022).

Artists You Might Recognize

Graham Abbey – Artistic Director
Beau Dixon – Mess Hall Sessions Curator
Anjelica Scannura – Comedy Festival Curator
Colin Mochrie – Comedy Festival Performer
Gavin Crawford – Every Brilliant Thing / Comedy Festival Performer
Hailey Gillis – Mess Hall Sessions Performer / The Shape of Home
Andrew Penner– Mess Hall Sessions Performer / The Shape of Home
Hawksley Workman – Mess Hall Sessions Performer
Coutney Ch’ng Lancaster – The 39 Steps Performer
Mark Crawford – Season 2021 Performer/Playwright/2015 SoloFest

Workshops and Classes

Flight Dance Festival offers public dance workshops, including children’s dance classes, throughout the summer. For more information, or to enroll your child, visit County Stage’s website.

Where to Eat and Drink

The Eddie Pavilion offers a variety of food and beverage options for patrons, with concessions available one hour before the performance. Audiences can try cheese boards, wine, and local beer. Throughout the summer, The Eddie also offers pre-ordered picnic dinners (vegetarian option included), which can be ordered a minimum of 48-hours before showtime.

Sergeants’ Mess Hall at Base31 has a variety of food trucks close by, for audience members looking for a light meal before their show.

For more information about where to eat and drink on your next visit to County Stage Company, visit their website.

The Shape of Home

2022 WORLD PREMIERE

The Shape of Home is a theatrical concert that investigates the life and work of Canada's unofficial poet laureate, Al Purdy. This expansive work is not merely a tribute to a great Canadian artist, it is a musical call to action; an adamant prompt to live fully, to love deeply, to challenge actively and to seek beauty everywhere. Featuring Frank Cox-O'Connell, Beau Dixon, Hailey Gillis, Raha Javanfar, Andrew Penner, and Emily Shultz.

Image by Dahlia Katz.

Jake Epstein perches atop a red ladder in front of a live audience, his arms outstretched. Behind him is a pianist at a keyboard. Image provided by County Stage Company.

Boy Falls From the Sky

PRESENTED BY COUNTY STAGE AT THE EDDIE RED BARN THEATRE BEFORE TRANSFERRING TO MIRVISH'S ROYAL ALEXANDRA THEATRE

Through a series of entertaining and soul-baring stories and songs, ranging from touring the US, to surviving Spider-Man, to withstanding steroid shots and Broadway boos, Epstein shares the rejection, stage fright and heartbreak behind a seemingly successful career in this showbiz tell-all.

Image provided by County Stage Company.

Stephen Page stands at a microphone, guitar in hand, as he sings. He is surrounded by a six-piece musical ensemble of string instruments, all faintly lit with red and blue lights. Image provided by County Stage Company.

Stephen Page and the Art of Time Ensemble

AN INTIMATE EVENING OF MUSIC

Steven Page, a founder and former front man of the iconic pop band Barenaked Ladies, joins Toronto's highly inventive Art of Time Ensemble in an evening of seminal songs by Randy Newman, Radiohead, Elvis Costello, Barenaked Ladies, Leonard Cohen, Page himself, and others. These gems are reimagined and reinvented by some of the greatest minds in classical, pop, and jazz, and delivered by a defining voice in contemporary rock.

Image provided by County Stage Company.

Gavin Crawford stands on a stage, pointing out into the audience. A single, empty chair sits behind him. Crawford wears a grey graphic t-shirt and jeans, and smiles as he speaks.

Every Brilliant Thing

STARRING THE HOST OF THE #1 PODCAST "LET'S NOT BE KIDDING WITH GAVIN CRAWFORD" AND CBC'S "BECAUSE NEWS"

Every Brilliant Thing is a one-of-a-kind, interactive theatrical event that engages its audience in thrilling and original ways. At once profoundly funny and deeply moving, Every Brilliant Thing chronicles a young person's quest to unearth every magnificent thing about being alive.

Image provided by County Stage Company.

WRITTEN BY

Jessica Watson

Jessica is a former associate editor at Intermission, as well as a writer, classically-trained actor, and plant enthusiast. Since graduating from LAMDA in the UK with her MA in acting, you can often find her writing screenplays and short plays in the park, writing extensive lists of plant care tips, or working on stage and screen (though she uses a stage name). Jessica freelances with various companies across Canada, but her passion lies in working with theatre artists and enthusiasts.

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