Anita Gaffney News

The Stratford Festival HD stage to screen event series returns to U.S. cinemas on Thursday, May 21 with the Stratford Festival production of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra, the steamy story of a midlife affair that shook the foundations of the ancient world comes to vivid life. Starring Geraint Wyn Davies and Yanna McIntosh as the powerful rulers whose insatiable love leads to the greatest of tragedies, Antony and Cleopatra is directed by Gary Griffin.

William Shakespeare wrote in The Merchant of Venice: 'How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.' In 2014, the Stratford Festival shone by raising a record-breaking $66,686 for the Actors' Fund of Canada, the lifeline for Canada's entertainment industry. Company member giving to the Fund through payroll donations, proceeds from Madness Mug sales, audience collections and a benefit performance of Hay Fever, helped to provide much-needed financial aid to entertainment industry members who are facing times of crisis.

The Stratford Perth Museum has been selected to be the venue for a new travelling exhibit from the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam from June to October 2015. The exhibit coincides with the Stratford Festival's presentation of The Diary of Anne Frank at the Avon Theatre.

The Stratford Festival will be creating films of three of this season's Shakespeare productions for international release and broadcast.

Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino's King Lear, starring Colm Feore, is entering the record books as one of the Festival's top-selling Shakespeare productions of all time. To meet the overwhelming demand for tickets, the production is being extended until October 25.

The magic of the Stratford Festival's hit musical Crazy for You has been immortalized in the first full-length cast recording in the Festival's history. The album is filled with beloved Gershwin tunes and a sensational cast bursting with talent: who could ask for anything more?

The 2014 season is off to a strong start, with brisk advance ticket sales. To meet demand, the Stratford Festival is adding performances of Antony and Cleopatra and A Midsummer Night's Dream: A Chamber Play.

The Stratford Festival is introducing a new luxury bus service between Detroit and Stratford for the 2014 theatre season - at a fabulous low price of just $40 return.

The Stratford Festival is officially home of one of the newest GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS. One hundred 'pinball wizards' took over First Canadian Place in Toronto today to successfully log the greatest number of pinball machines being played simultaneously at a single venue.

Calling all pinball wizards! The Stratford Festival invites you to be a part of history. Today, May 16, the Festival will be in Toronto to host Pinballapalooza, an exciting event to celebrate the opening of its much-anticipated rock musical, Tommy.

Calling all pinball wizards! The Stratford Festival invites you to be a part of history. On Thursday, May 16, the Festival will be in Toronto to host Pinballapalooza, an exciting event to celebrate the opening of its much-anticipated rock musical, Tommy.

To meet the demand for tickets, the Stratford Festival is adding two performances of Taking Shakespeare, the John Murrell play featuring Martha Henry and Luke Humphrey, directed by Diana Leblanc.

The Stratford Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of the provincial government through Celebrate Ontario, which has just announced funding of more than $1 million to support the 2013 season's productions of The Merchant of Venice, Fiddler on the Roof and Tommy.

The Stratford Festival has just announced that matinee performances of Mary Stuart have been added to the 2013 schedule on August 27 and September 20. Tickets are available online and through the box office.

The federal government has raised the cap on its Endowment Incentives Program, offering the Stratford Festival a prime opportunity to raise an additional $10 million for its Endowment.

The Stratford Festival held its annual general meeting on Saturday, celebrating the successes of its landmark 60th season, under the joint leadership of Artistic Director Des McAnuff and General Director Antoni Cimolino. This was Mr. McAnuff's final season as Artistic Director. Mr. Cimolino has now assumed that role, with Anita Gaffney becoming Executive Director.

The Stratford Festival's box office opens to the public this Saturday, January 5, at 9 a.m., with an online advance sale beginning at noon on Friday. Facebook fans, who want to use the Festival's new social ticketing app will be able to purchase tickets as of 9 a.m. today. Tickets are being offered at up to 25% off until January 31, with an opportunity to exchange dates with no added expense.

Today the Stratford Festival unveils its latest app: Stratford Behind the Scenes. This interactive voyage through an entire season reveals the secrets of theatrical production, demonstrating that the artistry that takes place behind the scenes is every bit as magical as the performance itself.

The Stratford Festival's box office opens to Members on Monday, November 12, at 9 a.m., putting them first in line to purchase tickets for the 2013 season. A special advance online sale to Members will be offered on Sunday, November 11, beginning at noon. Sales to the general public begin January 5, with online advance sales beginning January 4.