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Celebrating Shakespeare: The Stratford Festival Part One

On the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare, a look at the birth of the world renowned Stratford Festival. "Celebrating Shakespeare" captures the festival's humble beginnings and features stories from some great actors who have performed on the Stratford stage.
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Rewind54:59Celebrating Shakespeare: The Stratford Festival #1

When William Shakespeare died in 1616, he left behind a body of work that has endured the centuries. He didn't just change  the way we think about plays and sonnets; he changed the English language itself. On the 400th anniversary of his death, we celebrate the work of the Bard with a look at one of the world's most respected Shakespearean theatre festivals.

In the early 1950's Stratford, Ontario was a town in decline after the railway industry pulled out.
Tyrone Guthrie, First Artistic Director of the Stratford Festival, 1957 (McKague Toronto)
Journalist Tom Patterson had an idea that he believed could put the town back on its feet: Stratford would capitalize on its famous name and create a Shakespearean theatre festival. Patterson recruited the English stage director Tyrone Guthrie to bring his acting, staging and production talent to Canada and work with dramatists in this country. Once he had buy-in from Guthrie, Patterson convinced Alec Guinness to be Stratford's first star actor.
Alec Guiness as Richard lll, 1953 (Peter Smith/Stratford Festival)
 There was little money, and for the first few seasons plays were staged under a giant tent. But the festival was a rousing success right from the start. Some of the finest Canadian, British and American stage actors followed Guinness to the Stratford stage: Jason Robards, Maggie Smith, Christopher Plummer, Jessica Tandy and James Mason among them. 

The tent was retired as the festival grew. Along with a dedicated festival theatre, the company bought and renovated the Avon Theatre. As well as drama there were film and music events in the early years. In 1957, Duke Ellington was one of the musicians featured. 

The Stratford Festival has weathered its share of financial troubles over the years, but for the past few years is financially robust. 

The 2016 season of the Stratford Festival presents Shakespeare's As You Like It and Macbeth as well as two modern adaptations of his work: Shakespeare in Love from the screenplay, and Breath of Kings, based on four Shakespearean plays.  

CBC Books also pays tribute to the Bard. Visit their website Celebrating William Shakespeare.