Stage Door News
Niagara-on-the-Lake: Shaw Festival announces casting and creatives for 2021 main season productions
Thursday, June 10, 2021
Artistic Director Tim Carroll announces casting for the Shaw Festival’s upcoming productions of Charley’s Aunt, Flush, The Devil’s Disciple, Sherlock Holmes and the Raven’s Curse, A Short History of Niagara and Trouble in Mind.
“As we prepare to come together and begin in-person theatre performances again, I'm thrilled to be able to reveal the incredible artists returning to the company and welcome a few new faces making their Shaw Festival debuts,” says Tim Carroll. “I can’t wait for our audience to experience their talent on our stages, live and in real time.”
CHARLEY’S AUNT
By Brandon Thomas
| Directed by Tim Carroll | Scenic and costume design by Christine Lohre |
| Previews July 9 ◆ Available for review beginning July 25 ◆ Closes October 10 Andrew Lawrie as Charley and Peter Fernandes as Jack are two eager young men hoping to court their sweethearts. Mike Nadajewski is wild-card Lord Fancourt Babberley, whose turn in fancy-dress just might save the day. Charley’s Aunt also features Neil Barclay, Patrick Galligan, Alexis Gordon, Claire Jullien, Marla McLean, Ric Reid and Gabriella Sundar Singh. Age Recommendation: Age 11+ | |
FLUSH
Based on the novella by Virginia Woolf
Adapted by Tim Carroll
| Directed by Tim Carroll Scenic and costume design by Hanne Loosen | Puppetry by Alexandra Montagnese |
| Previews July 10 ◆ Available for review beginning July 24 ◆ Closes October 2 Julie Lumsden*, Drew Plummer*, Jonathan Tan and Jacqueline Thair tell one of the greatest love stories of all time … through the eyes of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s beloved dog. Age Recommendation: Age 12+ | |
THE DEVIL’S DISCIPLE
By Bernard Shaw
| Directed by Eda Holmes Scenic design by Michael Gianfrancesco | Costume design by Gillian Gallow Original music by Paul Sportelli |
| Previews July 14 ◆ Available for review beginning July 23 ◆ Closes October 9 Martin Happer is scoundrel Richard Dudgeon in The Devil’s Disciple, Bernard Shaw’s first theatrical hit featuring his unique blend of dark comedy and melodrama. Verbally sparring with Happer are Katherine Gauthier as Judith Anderson and Graeme Somerville as Reverend Anderson. The Devil’s Disciple also features David Alan Anderson, Damien Atkins, Kristopher Bowman, Fiona Byrne, Julia Course, Tom McCamus, Peter Millard, Chick Reid, Johnathan Sousa and Shauna Thompson*. Age Recommendation: Age 12+ | |
SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE RAVEN’S CURSE
By R. Hamilton Wright
Based on the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
| Directed by Craig Hall Scenic and costume design by Ken MacKenzie Lighting design by Michelle Ramsay | Projection design by Cameron Davis Original music and sound design by John Gzowski |
| Previews July 23 ◆ Available for review beginning August 7 ◆ Closes October 10 The vibrant trio from 2018’s fan-favourite The Hound of the Baskervilles returns for Sherlock Holmes and The Raven’s Curse. Damien Atkins once again dons the deerstalker as Sherlock Holmes and reunites with Ric Reid as the incomparable Dr. Watson and Claire Jullien as the long-suffering Mrs. Hudson. Sherlock Holmes and The Raven’s Curse also features Jason Cadieux, Katherine Gauthier, Marla McLean, Mike Nadajewski, Chick Reid and Donna Soares. Age Recommendation: Age 12+ | |
A SHORT HISTORY OF NIAGARA
| Created and performed by Alexandra Montagnese and Mike Petersen Original music and sound design by Ryan Cowl | Commissioned and presented by the Shaw Festival Directed by Tim Carroll |
| Previews July 29 ◆ Available for review beginning July 31 ◆ Closes August 15 The rich history of the Niagara Region – from the Maid of the Mist to Laura Secord to the founding of the Shaw Festival – is brought to life in thirty minutes through the lively, no dialogue artistry of puppet theatre. Age Recommendation: Age 14+ | |
TROUBLE IN MIND
By Alice Childress
| Directed by Philip Akin Scenic design by Rachel Forbes | Costume design by Ming Wong Lighting design by Mikael Kangas |
| Previews August 8 ◆ Available for review beginning August 21 ◆ Closes October 9 Nafeesa Monroe is Wiletta, the Black actor at the centre of Alice Childress’ unflinching look at privilege and race in the theatre community. Appearing alongside Monroe is Kiera Sangster as veteran actor Millie Davis and Graeme Somerville as director Al Manners. Trouble in Mind also features Kaleb Alexander, David Alan Anderson, Neil Barclay, Kristi Frank, Patrick Galligan and Peter Millard. Age Recommendation: Age 14+ | |
Casts of the upcoming, yet to be announced, series of outdoor concerts and activities; Desire Under the Elms, the fourth iteration of A Christmas Carol and the return of Holiday Inn will be announced at a later date. Further updates will be available at www.shawfest.com.
Tickets for the 2021 season are available through the Box Office at 1-800-511-SHAW (7429) and online at shawfest.com.
The Shaw Festival plans to present the 2021 season as per the revised schedule; however, performances will only take place if deemed safe to do so. In addition to following and exceeding the directives of local, provincial and federal governments and their respective public health agencies, The Shaw has implemented a robust Duty of Care initiative. These measures include significant infrastructure improvements and a commitment to ensuring the health and safety of audiences, company members and communities.