On April 21 the curtain rises on the 2026 season with a thrilling tale of magic, adventure and discovery as Kim Selody’s stage adaptation of The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien arrives at the Stratford Festival. Directed by Pablo Felices-Luna and featuring Richard Lee, Tim Campbell, Sara-Jeanne Hosie and Aaron Krohn, this beloved tale of quiet bravery begins performances at the Avon Theatre today.

Bilbo Baggins, an unassuming Hobbit, is drawn from the comfort of his home into an extraordinary quest across Middle-earth. Reluctantly enlisted by the Wizard Gandalf, he joins Thorin Oakenshield and his band of Dwarves to reclaim their home beneath the Lonely Mountain from the Dragon Smaug. Along the way, Bilbo faces Trolls, Goblins and giant spiders, and, in a fateful encounter with the creature Gollum, acquires a mysterious ring of great power. As the company reaches the Lonely Mountain and finally confronts Smaug, Bilbo’s quiet ingenuity proves essential, revealing a courage that helps shape the fate of all involved.

A cherished story for generations, The Hobbit is brought to life in this nostalgic adaptation that captures both its warmth and sense of adventure while inviting audiences into a magical world that stirs the heart and ignites the imagination.

“With all the history I have with this play, I still cannot help but feel like we need The Hobbit today more than ever,” shares Felices-Luna. “With a troubling return to ‘Might Makes Right’ in our world, we need to be reminded that (even the smallest among us) can bring about profound change.”

The Hobbit features Richard Lee as Bilbo Baggins, Tim Campbell as Gandalf, Spider #2, Smaug; Sara-Jeanne Hosie as Old Took, Lord Eagle, Thrush; Aaron Krohn as Thorin; with Shane Carty, Laura Condlln, Heidi Damayo as Fili, Nori, Bofur, Rivendell Elf, Goblin General, Wood Elf; Ijeoma Emesowum as Bombur, Oin, Gloin, Bert (Troll); Karthik Kadam, Derek Kwan as Balin, Ori, Dwalin, William (Troll), Goblin, Elven King;  Dominique LeBlanc, Davinder Malhi, Michael Man as Gollum, Tom (Troll), Elrond, Goblin, Spider #1, Bard; Raymond Strachan and Jennifer Villaverde as Kili, Dori, Bifur, Rivendell Elf, Great Goblin, Wood Elf, Goblin.

Felices-Luna is joined by Set Designer Lorenzo Savoini, Costume Designer Ting-Huan 挺歡 Christine Urquhart, Lighting Designer Michael Walton, Composer and Sound Designer Debashis Sinha, Fight Director Anita Nittoly and Movement Director Sara Topham.

The Hobbit is licensed by Middle-Earth Enterprises, begins previews April 21. It officially opens on May 30 and runs until October 23 at the Avon Theatre. Tickets are available at www.stratfordfestival.ca or by calling 1.800.567.1600.

The 2026 season also features The Tempest, Guys and Dolls, Something Rotten!, Waiting for Godot, Death of a Salesman, The Importance of Being Earnest, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Othello, The Tao of the World and The King James Bible Play. For more information, visit www.stratfordfestival.ca.