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Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · 4h

If you want to learn more from our archives, then tune in this Thursday to ask our team of archivists about the collection and their work!

Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · 4h

There are also pieces of Martha’s costume from her first role at the Festival, as Miranda in 1962, and pieces of the original tent that housed our first four seasons, from 1953 to 1956. Her magic staff also includes pieces of the original stage floor.

Detail of the cloak that Martha Henry wore as Prospero in The Tempest (Stratford Festival, 2018). Design by Bretta Gerecke.

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Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · 4h

Designer Bretta Gerecke, with a team of in-house artisans, spent months building this very special creation, incorporating scraps of historic costume pieces from all of the previous Prosperos who have ever played on our Festival stage.

The cloak that Martha Henry wore as Prospero in The Tempest (Stratford Festival, 2018). Design by Bretta Gerecke.

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Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · 4h

Full of rough magic. ✨
Ahead of #AskAnArchivist Day on Thursday October 16, we've searched our archive collection for a unique object deserving of the spotlight. Behold, the cloak that Martha Henry wore as Prospero in our 2018 production of The Tempest.

Martha Henry as Prospero in The Tempest (Stratford Festival, 2018). Director: Antoni Cimolino. Designer: Bretta Gerecke. Lighting Designer: Michael Walton. Composer: Berthold Carrière. Sound Designer: Thomas Ryder Payne. Fight Director: John Stead. Movement Director: Philippa Domville. Photography: David Hou.

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Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · 1d

Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🍁
May we all be as thankful as Little Orphan Annie, a truly perfect role model for this holiday.

📷 Harper Rae Asch with members of the company in Annie. Photography by David Hou.

Annie
Book: Thomas Meehan
Lyrics: Martin Charnin
Music: Charles Strouse
Director, Choreographer: Donna Feore
Music Director: Laura Burton
Set and Costume Designer: Michael Gianfrancesco
Lighting Designer: Kimberly Purtell
Additional Dance Arrangement and Orchestration: David Dabbon
Projection Designer: Sean Nieuwenhuis

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Reposted by Stratford Festival

Ron Sexsmith @ronsexsmith.bsky.social · 11d

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

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Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · 13d

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

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Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · 13d

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.

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Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · 13d

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.

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Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · 13d

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.

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Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · 13d

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!

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Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · 13d

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.

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Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · 13d

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.

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Stratford Festival @stratfest.bsky.social · 13d

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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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