Graham Abbey News

The Stratford Festival midseason openings are upon us, and first up was Director Chris Abraham's much anticipated production of Moliere's TARTUFFE at the Festival Theatre. The translation by Ranjit Bolt (with some updates to reflect current politics) finds the perfect tone and allows a French satire from 1664 to feel incredibly (almost frighteningly) relevant right now. An excellent company, led by the fantastic Tom Rooney had the audience absolutely howling. This is definitely one to see!

Audience members at today's production of ROMEO AND JULIET at the Stratford Festival were in for a real treat...And some of them had no idea!  There was a delightful murmur of excitement from the crowd when Artistic Director (and 1992 Romeo) Antoni Cimolino came onstage to announce that in celebration of the Festival's 65th season, a group of former Romeos and Juliets were in attendance!

The Coal Mine, a new independent theatre in Toronto's east end, founded by Chief Engineers Diana Bentley and Ted Dykstra, proudly presents their third season of fearlessly challenging plays, produced, directed, designed and performed at the highest possible level. With less than 100 seats available per performance, The Coal Mine is inspired by the intimacy and excitement of the off-off-Broadway experience.

This season at the Stratford Festival's Tom Patterson Theatre, audiences have the opportunity to witness Shakespeare's Henriad in a unique and exciting new way.

Coal Mine Theatre presents the Toronto premiere of the edgy and electric INSTRUCTIONS (TO ANY FUTURE SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT WISHING TO ABOLISH CHRISTMAS) from May 29 - June 19. Written by Canadian playwright Michael Mackenzie, directed by David Storch and starring Coal Mine's Artistic Curator Ted Dykstra and Artistic Producer Diana Bentley, this modern-day two-hander examines the shifting and suspect forces that drive the global financial system.

Groundling Theatre Company's inaugural production, a full staging of William Shakespeare's THE WINTER'S TALE, will be presented as part of the Coal Mine Theatre's second season of adventurous theatre, running January 28 - February 20, 2016. One of the most psychologically engaging romances in the English language, this intimate chamber production of THE WINTER'S TALE will be directed by Graham Abbey, founder and artistic director of Groundling Theatre Company.

After a period of brisk advance sales to Members, the Stratford Festival is opening its box office to the public this Friday, January 8.

Groundling Theatre Company's inaugural production, a full staging of William Shakespeare's THE WINTER'S TALE, will be presented as part of the Coal Mine Theatre's second season of adventurous theatre. One of the most psychologically engaging romances in the English language, this intimate chamber production of THE WINTER'S TALE will be directed by Graham Abbey, founder and artistic director of Groundling Theatre Company.

Groundling Theatre Company's inaugural production, a full staging of William Shakespeare's THE WINTER'S TALE, will be presented as part of the Coal Mine Theatre's second season of adventurous theatre, running January 28 - February 20, 2016. One of the most psychologically engaging romances in the English language, this intimate chamber production of THE WINTER'S TALE will be directed by Graham Abbey, founder and artistic director of Groundling Theatre Company.

The Coal Mine, Artistic Curator Ted Dykstra and Artistic Producer Diana Bentley, launch their second season of powerful and often darkly humourous adventures in drama with Jez Butterworth's THE RIVER, November 1-22, 2015. The English playwright's poetic follow-up to his international hit Jerusalem, will receive its Canadian premiere with direction by Ted Dykstra; starring David Ferry as The Man, Jane Spidell as The Woman, and Dani Kind as The Other Woman.

The Stratford Festival comes to CBC-TV this September with spectacular performances of KING LEAR, ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA and KING JOHN, captured live in HD and presented uninterrupted. These productions are the first in the Stratford Festival HD initiative, which will see all of Shakespeare's plays filmed over the next 10 years, making them available to audiences nationwide and around the world.

After rave reviews and a sold-out inaugural season, The Coal Mine Theatre is back and proud to announce its 2015-2016 season of powerful, absorbing, and often darkly humourous adventures in drama. The Coal Mine's Artistic Curator Ted Dykstra, and Artistic Producer Diana Bentley, present:

With the world marking the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare in 2016, Stratford Festival Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino has planned a number of exciting projects in honour of the occasion.

If you happen to be coming to Stratford Festival looking for a show that makes you laugh, think, and question whether the human race is doomed-all in equal measure…then look no further than director Miles Potter's disturbingly delightful production of THE PHYSICISTS. If you did not know you were looking for a show that did those things to you…well, trust me. You are. Come see this show.

Another of Shakespeare's great dramas, performed by one of the world's premier repertory theater companies - The Stratford Festival in Ontario Canada - comes to select U.S. cinemas courtesy of Fathom Events and By Experience. Presented under the banner of Stratford Festival HD, the series continues with King John today, Wednesday, April 8.

Another of Shakespeare's great dramas, performed by one of the world's premier repertory theater companies - The Stratford Festival in Ontario Canada - will come to select U.S. cinemas courtesy of Fathom Events and By Experience. Presented under the banner of Stratford Festival HD, the series continues with King John on Thursday, April 8.

Swift advance sales have prompted the Stratford Festival to extend the runs of four productions, just as the box office has opened to the public. Performances of Carousel, The Alchemist, The Physicists and The Last Wife have been added to the schedule.

Hallmark Channel's annual Countdown to Christmas campaign continues to bring joy to the world, with the November 15 and November 16 original holiday premieres of Northpole and Angels and Ornaments catapulting the network to be the #1 most watched

King John, who reigned as the monarch of England from 1199-1216, was the son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, and the father of Henry III. The Shakespearean script concerning his reign is one of the true history plays by the Bard and is one of only two of his plays, the other being 'Richard II,' that are written entirely in script.