MARY STUART Begins Performances at Stratford Festival

Examining the power struggle between two legendary monarchs, Mary Stuart offers a timely exploration of the often dangerous relationship between religion and politics. Directed by the Festival's Artistic Director, Antoni Cimolino, Friedrich Schiller's gripping historical drama, in a new version by Peter Oswald, begins previews on Friday, May 3, at the Tom Patterson Theatre.

For the first time since 2005's Fallen Angels, two of the Festival's most celebrated leading women - Seana McKenna and Lucy Peacock - will be sharing the stage. Ms Peacock will play the title role opposite Ms McKenna as Elizabeth I. The cast also features Ben Carlson as Lord Burleigh, Brian Dennehy as the Earl of Shrewsbury and Geraint Wyn Davies as the Earl of Leicester.

This will be the first production directed by Mr. Cimolino since taking over as Artistic Director this season. A celebrated director, he has been at the helm of many of the Festival's most successful productions, including last year's hauntingly beautiful Cymbeline. Mary Stuart promises to be a highlight of this season as well, with a quarter of the performances already sold out.

"I have selected a season that I hope will touch both the hearts and minds of our audiences, not only engaging them emotionally but also provoking discussion and debate," says Mr. Cimolino. "A story about religious extremism, fanatics willing to die for their God, gender politics and a society struggling to find its way to democracy, Mary Stuart serves as a bridge that connects the England of 1587 with the German states of 1800 and with any monotheistic nation in 2013."

Mary Stuart, former Queen of Scots, is imprisoned in England because her very existence poses a political and personal risk to her Protestant cousin, Elizabeth I. As Elizabeth hesitates over decreeing her rival's fate, Mary pleads for a face-to-face meeting, and we see how religion can become a tool in the hands of cynical politicians who are willing to sacrifice lives in the supposed interests of the state.

"It's a great enlightenment play," says Mr. Cimolino. "I think the point Schiller is trying to make is that it is human to become intolerant - and even to take a force for good, like religion, and twist it. It's not that you doubt the belief of the people who believe; you just doubt the aims of the people who are telling them who their enemies are and what to do."

The production's artistic team includes Designer Eo Sharp, Lighting Designer Steven Hawkins, Sound Designer Todd Charlton, Movement Coach Shona Morris and Fight Director John Stead.

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