Slings & Arrows

Slings & Arrows is a critically acclaimed Canadian television series which aired on The Movie Network from 2003 to 2006. The darkly comedic drama stars a range of talented Canadian actors, including Paul Gross, Martha Burns, Stephen Ouimette, Susan Coyne, and Mark McKinney, who also co-wrote the series.

Set in the fictional town of New Burbage, the series revolves around a troubled theatrical festival and captures the tumultuous world of the stage and all the drama that unfolds behind the curtains, much likened the Shakespearean works it portrays. The New Burbage Festival is an annual Shakespeare festival, whose founder and director, Oliver Welles, is whimsically portrayed by Stephen Ouimette. The real charm of the series lies in its perfect blend of humor, pathos, dialogue that reflects high quality writing, and its portrayal of the world of theater apart from its ability to bring in the beauty of Shakespeare's works in the modern setting.

Paul Gross stars in the series as Geoffrey Tennant, a gifted but erratic actor-director who's rather comfortable in navigating through the world of art shrouded in misery. His complex relationship with Oliver Wells and his former love-interest, festival’s leading lady, Ellen Fanshaw (Martha Burns), adds a comedic yet poignant dimension to the narrative. Exploring the themes of artistic direction, financial management, actor-ego wrangling, and fundraising demands, the series gently satirizes the backstage circus of theatrical companies while also paying thoughtful homage to the beauty and richness of Shakespeare's works.

The series title ‘Slings & Arrows’ artfully is derived from a line in Shakespeare's Hamlet: ‘To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles...’. This reference to Hamlet’s soliloquy aptly summarizes the essence of the series — the dilemmas, inner battles, and existential crises that the characters endure while grappling with their professional roles and personal lives.

Over the series, Geoffrey Tennant descends into the madness that is the New Burbage Festival, taking its audience on an enchanting journey filled with memorable characters, moral quandaries, and the timeless words of Shakespeare himself. Weaving through the intrigues of a theatrical world and bringing to light the often-ignored backstage bedlam, ‘Slings & Arrows’ provides an interesting peek into the realm of performing arts. The enigmatic aura of this series is further uplifted by the occasional use of surreal elements that blur the line between reality and illusion.

Each season of Slings & Arrows is structured around the staging of a single play, analyzing it from various perspectives of directors, actors, and the crew. The plays produced within the series are all Shakespearean works, including "Hamlet", "Macbeth", and "King Lear". The spiraling insanity that descends upon each production provides much of the comedic backdrop to the series, yet beneath its hilarity, ‘Slings & Arrows’ is a sophisticated show with wonderfully multi-faceted characters, eloquent dialogues, and intricate storylines that reflect a deep reverence for the Bard's works.

‘Slings & Arrows’ provides its audience an insider's view of the theatre world, delving into the personal and professional conflicts that ensue in the effort to uphold the artistic integrity of Shakespeare's works and balancing it with practical aspects of production, commercial success as well audience expectations. The series is also peppered with a rich cast of supporting characters, each quirky and delightful in their own way, adding to the charm of the backstage world of theater.

Finally, while ‘Slings & Arrows’ offers veiled criticism of the state of modern theatre, it does so from a vantage point of profound affection. The series and its creators spared no expense on the details, enlisting the best-in-class craftsmen, artisans, and costumers, and it shows through in the authenticity of the props and backdrops. It's a love song to the art of theatre, unabashedly sentimental, frequently hilarious, and always entertaining, capturing the observe spirit of the people who dedicate their lives to creating something beautiful on stage.

In conclusion, ‘Slings & Arrows’ is a delightful and magnificently executed television comedy-drama series that any fan of Shakespeare, theatre, or superior storytelling would absolutely cherish.