Buffalo Theater: Touring show ‘Fools and Foes’ presents a fun intro to The Bard

By Gabrielle Dubreville

Shakespeare in Delaware Park doesn’t just exist on Shakespeare Hill.

While Shakespeare’s full plays fill the hill every summer, Shakespeare in Delaware Park also has a touring group. This summer it’s performing “Fools and Foes,” which pulls from various works by The Bard at various venues in Western New York. 

The group been touring all summer at venues such as Canterbury Woods, Heritage Park, Larkin Square and more.

The performances are free and open to the public. Starting at 7 p.m., they last about an hour and include a variety of Shakespearean classics.

Part of the unique charm of these touring performances is the relaxed, community-focused atmosphere that transforms local parks into vibrant theaters. While no formal seating is provided, the open lawn becomes a tapestry of comfort as guests settle in for the evening. Guests are encouraged to make themselves at home. Bring along plush blankets to spread on the grass or your favorite lawn chairs for a front-row view. 

As on the hill, many attendees turn the event into a festive occasion by packing picnic setups—complete with baskets of treats and refreshments—to share with friends and neighbors as the sun sets. 

Upon arrival, guests were greeted with a warm welcome and a playbill, immediately drawing them into the evening’s theatrical world. And there might also be a conveniently located refreshment booth offered a selection of chilled drinks, perfect for sipping while the Shakespearean magic unfolded on stage.

This writer checked out the July 22 performance, when the troupe returned to the Kenan Center in Lockport for the fifth consecutive year.

The audience was a mix of fresh faces and returning attendees, creating an atmosphere that felt both inclusive and celebratory. It is a perfect setting for families, groups of friends, or anyone seeking a peaceful solo retreat in the fresh air. Because the performances are held in the beauty of the outdoors, four-legged companions are welcome to join, ensuring that everyone in the community can partake in the timeless magic of Shakespeare.

The performance included six actors: Paige Cummings, Cody Gooley, Camille Keeves, Devin Klumpp, Sue McCormack and Julianna Tracey.

They performed scenes from various Shakespearean plays, including Othello, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Richard III, Twelfth Night, Macbeth, Henry IV, Two Gentlemen of Verona, King Lear, The Tempest, Romeo & Juliet, and finally A Midsummer Night’s Dream. 

Director Nathaniel Higgins described the show as, “A compilation of scenes and monologues  from Shakespeare, featuring some of his funniest clown characters, the fools, and most horrible villains, the foes.”

He said, “Anybody who has experience watching Shakespeare will enjoy these takes on these scenes, and people who haven’t seen it will be shocked by how well they can understand it.”

While the show entwines together various scenes and characters, a common thread binds them all.

Higgins said, “There is quite the human element for all these characters, whether they are being clowns or terrifying villains; Shakespeare really brings a lot of the humanity to these characters.”

This focus was palpable on stage as the cast instinctively tapped into that vulnerability.

Higgins said, “It’s something the actors all kind of realize, and they play well into ‘How do I make these characters human?’ and they did it without thinking twice.”

The production began with an opening number composed by Norm Sham, which set a vibrant tone for the evening. Its central refrain, “something for everyone,” perfectly encapsulated the show’s diverse and inclusive spirit.

Sham also crafted the monologues that introduced each new scene, ensuring the narrative remained accessible and easy for the audience to follow—a clear reflection of Shakespeare in Delaware Park’s commitment to accessibility.

The six-member ensemble brought a dynamic energy to the stage that was truly infectious. 

Tracey was particularly fresh and amusing, immediately sparking ripples of laughter as she took the stage. The troupe navigated the shifts between comedy and tragedy with impressive creativity.

One of Higgins’ favorite moments was the scene from Henry IV, where Cummings and Klumpp delivered a hilarious, high-energy rendition of Falstaff and Hal mimicking the King; their palpable joy resonated with the audience, who responded with enthusiastic laughter and applause. 

This emotional range extended to the show’s more serious turns as well, with Keeves delivering a captivating, introspective monologue from King Lear that held the crowd in rapt attention. 

Similarly, Gooley and McCormack infused the Macbeth scene with profound intensity, grounding the performance in raw emotion. 

Beyond these stand-out moments, the actors’ collective ability to maintain sharp, engaging back-and-forth banter throughout the evening elevated the entire production, showcasing a deep, instinctive commitment to their craft.

The production embraced a minimalist aesthetic, utilizing a sparse set of just four stools and several versatile boxes that doubled as storage for an array of props and costume pieces. This simplicity allowed the performances to take center stage, as the actors moved seamlessly through their roles. Each performer wore a sleek, all-black base outfit, serving as a blank canvas for the rapid-fire character changes that defined the evening.

The cast transformed instantly by layering on quick costume accessories; the vibrant, eclectic pieces associated with the “fools” popped with color against their stark black base outfits, while the more serious scenes with the “foes”leaned into that monochromatic aesthetic to powerful effect.

The evening reached its climax with a spirited finale from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The ensemble’s sharp comedic timing and dramatic flair left the crowd in high spirits, their laughter echoing across the lawn.

As the troupe closed the play with a final, joyous song, the air was filled with cheers and applause, marking a perfect end to a night of Shakespearean magic.

The biggest takeaway Higgins hopes for is, “That audiences can come away seeing that Shakespeare is fun, whether it’s a comedy, a tragedy, or even a history. With Shakespeare, a lot of people come in with this preconceived notion, thinking they won’t understand it. I want to show that they can understand it and that they can relate to stuff. And even if they can’t relate, they can still enjoy the entertainment value of it.”

Performances run through Aug. 24.