Stage Door News
Stage Door News
September 29, 2014… Last season, the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, led a distinguished group of legal luminaries in a mock trial to argue Shylock’s sentence in The Merchant of Venice. This weekend, another trial will take place: the Authorship Appeal, a spirited debate over whether William Shakespeare was indeed the principal author of the canon.
Festivities kick off on Friday, October 3, when the Festival will host Chat with the Chief, in which broadcaster and CBC News Anchor Peter Mansbridge will go one-on-one with Ms McLachlin to discuss her life, work and her thoughts on the arts.
Ms McLachlin will return on Saturday morning for Authorship Appeal, in which she will convene a special panel of judges to consider whether there is sufficient evidence to refute the claim that Shakespeare was the principal author of the canon.
The panel will feature Justices Robert J. Sharpe and Eileen E. Gillese from the Ontario Court of Appeal, Patricia D.S. Jackson from Torys LLP, and celebrated actor Colm Feore. Sheila Block from Torys LLP will represent Shakespeare and Guy J. Pratte from Borden Ladner LLP will represent the Earl of Oxford. Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino will make a special appearance as William Shakespeare himself.
Chat with the Chief
Friday, October 3, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Paul D. Fleck Marquee, Festival Theatre, 55 Queen Street, Stratford
Three-course meal, including a welcome cocktail and wine with dinner.
Admission: $95 (includes bar and gratuities)
Authorship Appeal
Saturday, October 4, 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Festival Theatre, 55 Queen Street, Stratford
While admission is free, donations are appreciated.
The Authorship Appeal will be live streamed: stratfordfestival.ca/livestream.
To reserve tickets for both events, please contact the box office at 1.800.567.1600 or visit stratfordfestival.ca.
Sustaining support for the Forum is generously provided by Kelly & Michael Meighen and the T.R. Meighen Foundation. Support for the 2014 Forum is generously provided by Nandita & Julian Wise. Selected Forum events supported by Bell Let’s Talk. Support for Peer Into the Playbill is provided in memory of Dr. W. Philip Hayman.
Support for Chat with the Chief is provided by BLG: Borden Ladner Gervais.
Support for Authorship Appeal is generously provided by Mary and Guy Pratte.
The 2014 season continues through October 25, featuring King Lear; Crazy for You; two versions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream; The Beaux’ Stratagem; Man of La Mancha; Alice Through the Looking-Glass; Hay Fever; King John; Mother Courage and Her Children; Antony and Cleopatra; Christina, The Girl King; and many events in The Forum.
Photo: Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin. ©Andrew Balfour.
2014-09-29
Stratford: Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin leads a panel of legal luminaries in Authorship Appeal