On the eve of Labor Day, Peter and Anthony discuss the Astor Place Riot of 1849, which stemmed from a theatrical rivalry. The riot pitted the working class against powerful upper-class New Yorkers who deployed the city's police to enforce order, the first time government authorities ever fired live ammunition into a crowd of citizens. That rivalry still exists today in the debate over the proper spelling of the word theater.
Also, the Shaw Festival has expanded its mandate to include "plays that share Shaw's provocative exploration of society and celebration of humanity." That includes 20th century playwright Edward Bond's "The Sea" which explores power and dominance as well as the nature of truth. Fiona Reid stars.
