[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Drama_festival.jpg” caption=”The 17th Annual McMaster Summer Drama Festival will feature Measure for Measure, Arsenic and Old Lace, Drinking Alone and Goodnight Desdemona (Goodmorning Juliet). Photo courtesy of McMaster Summer Drama Festival.”]A twist on the classic Shakespearan comedy Measure for Measure kicks off the 17th Annual McMaster Summer Drama Festival tonight. Directed by Krystal Berwick and set in a North American metropolis, the play looks at the policing of poverty and its effects on society.

Other productions being performed this season are Arsenic and Old Lace, Drinking Alone and Goodnight Desdemona (Goodmorning Juliet).

The McMaster Summer Drama Festival is organized each year by students and community members. Since the festival began 17 years ago, more than 30 plays have been staged.

It takes many volunteers to create these productions each year — about 40 are involved this year — and they help with all aspects of the festival from designing costumes, constructing the famous outdoor stage, and the more flashy roles as actors and directors.

Groundwork for the week-long festival begins each year in August when the previous festival wraps up. Throughout the year, preparations are made for set design and assembly, the plays with their directors are selected and the actors audition.

“By opening up auditions to the general Hamilton community in addition to McMaster students, it gives us a more diverse pool of applicants to choose from,” says Monica Cairney, artistic director of the festival.

“We are constantly working ahead to get ready for the next festival. Basically, the Summer Drama Festival runs on passion. The festival is completely non-profit, and we conduct all of our own fundraising during the year. New volunteers are always welcome at any stage of the preparation and production process.”

Opening tomorrow is Arsenic and Old Lace, written by Joseph Kesselring and directed by Max Goodis. The play is a narrative about Mortimer Brewster who is about to have the most confusing day of his life, one that will be filled with crime, dead bodies and scatterbrained relatives.

“Arsenic and Old Lace is more of a traditional play, being older fashioned,” says Cairney. “It is well suited for families, and sure to be a crowd pleaser.”

Drinking Alone, written by Norm Foster and directed by Bryon Fotheringham, is a romantic comedy set in the midst of a dysfunctional family reunion.

Goodnight Desdemona (Goodmorning Juliet), written by Ann-Marie MacDonald and directed by Hayley Bulmer, is about an assistant professor who studies Romeo and Juliet and falls in love with a professor, only to be betrayed.

All productions are suitable for a general audience, although some deal with more mature subject matter.

The McMaster Summer Drama Festival will run from July 20 to 28. Tickets are $8 general admission, $6 students/seniors, or you can upgrade to a festival pass for $24 general admission, $18 students/seniors. The festival pass allows you to see four plays for the price of three.

For more information regarding these shows, ticket reservations and directions, please visit www.summerdramafestival.com. Alternative locations have been secured for the outdoor shows in the event of inclement weather.

Festival schedule: