Sleuth, the fiendishly clever game of cat and mouse from playwright Anthony Shaffer, arrives at Harbourfront Centre this fall as the first production in the Shaw Festival’s inaugural artistic residency on Toronto’s waterfront.

Directed by Peter Fernandes, the sharp and stylish Tony and Edgar Award-winning whodunit begins previews October 16 at The Fleck at Harbourfront Centre Theatre.

When Milo Tindle (Sepehr Reybod) arrives at the lavish home of famed mystery writer Andrew Wyke (Patrick Galligan) hoping to discuss his plan to marry Wyke’s estranged wife, Marguerite, Wyke agrees on one condition: Tindle must help him stage a robbery of Marguerite’s well-insured jewellery. What begins as a staged swindle quickly descends into a dangerous duel of wits, deceit and escalating vengeance.

Rounding out the cast of Sleuth are Philip Mayfield as Inspector Doppler, Liam McNulty as Detective Sergeant Tarrant and Stanley Rushton as Police Constable Higgs. The production features set design by Sim Suzer, costume design by Joyce Padua, lighting design by Mikael Kangas and original music and sound design by John Gzowski. The stage management team includes stage manager Allan Teichman and assistant stage manager Becca Jorgensen.

The production also marks the professional directorial debut of Fernandes, a Toronto-based actor, director and writer who has spent five seasons as a member of the Shaw Festival acting ensemble and was recently appointed as Artistic Associate of Crow’s Theatre in Toronto. After making its debut in Niagara-on-the-Lake earlier this year, Sleuth now brings Fernandes’s work home to Toronto.

“Sleuth is a thrilling way to begin Shaw’s artistic residency with Harbourfront Centre. It has kept sold-out houses in Niagara-on-the-Lake enthralled with its suspense and sheer theatrical gamesmanship,” said Tim Carroll, Artistic Director, Shaw Festival. “After its final performance at Shaw on October 9, we’re delighted to bring the production to Toronto, specially adapted for The Fleck stage, and invite a whole new audience to test their wits.”

“Sleuth marks the moment this new partnership moves from an idea to the stage, and the beginning of what we believe will become an important new chapter for theatre at Harbourfront Centre,” says Tenio Evangelista, President and Chair of Harbourfront Centre’s Board of Directors. “This residency gives us an opportunity to build something meaningful with the Shaw Festival, connecting extraordinary artists and productions with Toronto audiences while continuing to establish our waterfront as a place where exceptional cultural experiences happen year-round. We’re proud to begin that journey with Sleuth.”

On stage at The Fleck at Harbourfront Centre Theatre from October 16 to November 1, Sleuth is recommended for audience members 13+. Running time is approximately two hours, including one 20-minute intermission.

The inaugural season continues with the beloved holiday classic A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, adapted for the stage by Tim Carroll, running November 12 to December 23. A third production, running January 22 to February 21, 2027, will be announced in October.

Tickets to Sleuth start at $50, with three-show packages also available. 

Visit harbourfrontcentre.com.