The Marrying Kind

It's no secret that London is an epicenter of live theater, home to some of the finest dramatic troupes and big-budget productions in the Western world. But who can afford a trip to England in these troubled economic times? All you Playbill subscribers can get your fix of first-rate theater this afternoon, as the Saint Louis Art Museum in Forest Park (314-721-0072 or www.slam.org) hosts a high-definition rebroadcast of Shakespeare's All's Well That Ends Well performed by London's National Theatre. The play's heroine is Helena, a pretty, resourceful servant girl who serves in the court of the Countess of Rousillon. When she uses her medical knowledge to save the King of France's life, Helena is promised as payment a marital union with the Countess' son, the disinterested and haughty Bertram. While Helena wins Bertram's hand in marriage, capturing his heart is another matter altogether. The play uses the conventions of upward social mobility normally found in fairy tales, though Helena achieves her goals with brains, subterfuge and some between-the-sheets trickery. The broadcast begins at noon, and tickets are $10 to $15.
Sat., Oct. 31, 2009