Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Stratford Festival

Ron Sexsmith @ronsexsmith.bsky.social · 8d

Had fun today with these guys and the whole cast of "As You Like It" at @stratfest.bsky.social as I joined them for the finale
It was an honour for me to be asked to write the music
for Bill Shakespeare's lyrics RS

3 9 110

Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · 9d

Jonathan will join the Festival in March to plan the 2027 season. We can’t wait to see what he has in store!

4

Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · 9d

In his time at Chichester, a remarkable 48 productions toured or had West End runs, including a critically acclaimed production of Macbeth, directed by Rupert Goold and starring Patrick Stewart, which moved to the West End before transferring to BAM in New York and then Broadway.

1 1

Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · 9d

With a history including both not-for-profit and commercial theatre, Jonathan is currently the director of Jonathan Church Theatre Productions, which has produced more than 30 plays and musicals in the West End, on tour in the U.K. and internationally.

1

Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · 9d

Jonathan has held key leadership roles at major U.K. institutions, including Artistic Director of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the Chichester Festival Theatre, a sister theatre to the Stratford Festival, with a thrust stage modelled on the one in our Festival Theatre.

1 1

Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · 9d

Jonathan has been coming to the Festival for more than 20 years, and considers our current Artistic Director, Antoni Cimolino, a friend and admired colleague, as well as one of the top directors of Shakespeare in the world – so we know he has great taste in theatre!

1

Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · 9d

He’s also proud to be a dual citizen of the U.K. and Canada. His Canadian mother ensured this country was a big part of his life. He boasts that he’s the only Brit who has a perfect J-stroke thanks to his summer camp canoeing expeditions in Algonquin Park.

1

Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · 9d

Joining us from the U.K., Jonathan is a much-celebrated artist whose productions have captivated audiences around the world. His work as a producer and director has seen 45 Olivier Award nominations and 12 wins, 12 Evening Standard Award nominations and five wins, and six Tony Award nominations.

1

Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · 9d

We have exciting news! Jonathan Church will be the next Artistic Director of the Stratford Festival.

1 8

Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · Sep 9

"It's not just about finding kid-friendly shows, it's about introducing literacy, culture and critical thinking about the larger issues in life that they will one day confront, because 'All the world's a stage.'"

Adam Waxman reflects on the importance of bringing children to the Stratford Festival.

Shared Stages: The Value of Attending the Stratford Festival with Children

On a warm early-September night, Pete Townshend propels his arm into his signature windmill-thrashing of his guitar to the roar of the thousands who have attend

dinemagazine.ca

2 4

Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · Sep 5

Ready for a show to "smash the Bechdel test all to pieces"? 💪
Maev Beaty and Irene Poole spoke with @intermissionmag.bsky.social to discuss Ransacking Troy, Erin Shields's new "feminist reimagining of Homer’s epics, directed by Jackie Maxwell." www.intermissionmagazine.ca/features/ran...

#SFTroy

Maev Beaty and Irene Poole join forces in 'Ransacking Troy'

“This is an ensemble of some of the most extraordinary femme actors in the country and beyond,” says Beaty.

www.intermissionmagazine.ca

3 6

Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · Sep 2

“We have lost a brilliant actor, a wonderful neighbour and a good friend.”

Graham Greene as Lennie in Of Mice and Men (Stratford Festival, 2007). By John Steinbeck. Directed by Martha Henry. Designed by John Pennoyer. Lighting design by Bonnie Beecher. Sound design by Todd Charlton. Photography by David Hou.

2

Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · Sep 2

“He was generous in sharing his experience and knowledge of the skills of our craft with young actors. He brought with him a bigger artistic world but also a recognition that staying true to oneself is essential to a performer.

1 1

Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · Sep 2

“Despite his fame and many accomplishments Graham as a colleague was genuinely humble and friendly – and he loved to share a laugh with his fellow players,” Antoni says.

Graham Greene as Shylock in The Merchant of Venice (Stratford Festival, 2007). By William Shakespeare. Directed by Richard Rose. Costume design by Phillip Clarkson. Lighting design by Steven Hawkins. Sound design by Todd Charlton. Photography by Richard Bain.

1 1

Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · Sep 2

Graham was a Member of the Order of Canada, and earlier this year he received the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement.

1

Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · Sep 2

In 2021, when Graham was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame, the ceremony was held at the Tom Patterson Theatre and he chose to have his star displayed there, a beautiful remembrance for all of us of Graham’s enormous contributions to the arts.

The Canada's Walk of Fame plaque for Graham Greene, located in the Tom Patterson Theatre.

1

Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · Sep 2

He also appeared in a huge number of series, including Lonesome Dove, Murder She Wrote, Northern Exposure, The Red Green Show, Being Erica, Defiance, Longmire, Riverdale, American Gods, Goliath, Reservation Dogs and, most recently, The Last of Us.

1

Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · Sep 2

Graham was nominated for an Academy Award in 1991 for his role of Kicking Bird in Dances With Wolves. His film credits were extensive and included Thunderheart, Maverick and The Green Mile.

1

Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · Sep 2

“From the moment he entered, we knew we were in the presence of a star. His Lennie was heartbreaking in his childlike innocence. We were completely won over by his simple warmth and consequently devastated as the play progressed.”

1 1

Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · Sep 2

Here in Stratford, Graham played Shylock in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice and Lennie in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men.

“As Shylock he brought a painful dignity and sharp intellect to the part,” Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino recalls.

Graham Greene as Shylock with members of the company in The Merchant of Venice (Stratford Festival, 2007). By William Shakespeare. Directed by Richard Rose. Costume design by Phillip Clarkson. Lighting design by Steven Hawkins. Sound design by Todd Charlton. Photography by Richard Bain.

1 1

Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · Sep 2

He is remembered by those who worked with him as a dramatic actor of extraordinary power and also a comedian who could delight colleagues and audiences with his playfulness and wit.

1

Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · Sep 2

It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Graham Greene. Graham was a globally recognized film actor and an award-winning stage and television performer, who joined us here at the Stratford Festival for one unforgettable season, in 2007.

Graham Greene as Lennie and Nicolas Van Burek as George in Of Mice and Men (Stratford Festival, 2007). By John Steinbeck. Directed by Martha Henry. Designed by John Pennoyer. Lighting design by Bonnie Beecher. Sound design by Todd Charlton. Photography by David Hou.

1 3 12

Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · Aug 27

Did you know our musicals are performed by a live orchestra?
Toronto Star arts critic Joshua Chong recently sat in on two performances of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Annie to see how musical magic is made behind the scenes!

#SFAnnie #SFScoundrels

At the Stratford Festival, I joined the orchestra below (and above) the stage for a new perspective

The Star's Joshua Chong visited the orchestra pit at the Avon Theatre and the orchestra loft at the Festival Theatre. Here's what he discovered.

www.thestar.com

4 5

Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · Aug 26

What better salve can there be than an old story with love at its core? ❤️‍🔥Sara Farb and Christopher Allen (who play Rosalind and Orlando respectively) spoke with Next Magazine about this season's As You Like It.

#SFAsYouLikeIt

The apocalypse needn’t be the end of the world in Stratford’s ‘As You Like It’ » NEXT Magazine

Sara Farb and Christopher Allen discuss Shakespearean perseverance

nextmag.ca

1 2

Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · Aug 21

The attraction that receives the most votes across all categories will be declared the Attraction of the Year at the TIAO Tourism Summit in October 2025.

So vote for the Stratford Festival now!