Shaw Festival to Stage Interactive ANDROCLES AND THE LION

Under the direction of Artistic Director Tim Carroll, Bernard Shaw's charming retelling of the beloved Aesop fable Androcles and the Lion is an interactive spur-of-the-moment theatre experience. The fusing of audience engagement with music and song, along with Shaw's delightful text, creates a distinctly different performance every time. Previews of Androcles and the Lion begin June 6 at the Court House Theatre.

In ancient Rome, Androcles, a fugitive Christian tailor, and his wife, Megaera are on the run from persecution. While hiding in the forest they meet up with a fierce lion. Though his wife flees, Androcles stands his ground. Noticing a large thorn embedded in its paw, Androcles removes it and tends to the lion. Man meets lion, man helps lion, and so begins one of Shaw's most beguiling plays. But what happens next depends on the audience's choices. This production is full of twists and turns, while always remaining faithful to the original text.

Dana Osborne's flexible set and quick-change costumes, Kimberly Purtell's lighting design, Alexis Milligan's dance sequences and puppetry; and Paul Sportelli's music direction and original compositions all work together to enhance the show's fluidity, spontaneity and unpredictability.

Androcles and the Lion is on stage at the Court House Theatre (26 Queen Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake) from June 6 to October 7 (opening June 24).

Cast: (in alphabetical order)

Neil Barclay
Kyle Blair
Julia Course
Kristi Frank
Patrick Galligan
Élodie Gillett
Jeff Irving
Patty Jamieson
Sarena Parmar
Jacqueline Thair
Michael Therriault
Jay Turvey
Jenny L. Wright
Shawn Wright Emperor
Captain
Lavinia
Callboy or Secutor
Androcles
Callboy or Secutor
Ferrovius
Lentulus
Metellus or Retiarius
Metellus or Retiarius
Spintho
Ox Driver/Editor of the Gladiators
Megaera/Menagerie Keeper
Centurion

Creative & Production:

Tim Carroll
Dana Osborne
Kimberly Purtell
Alexis Milligan
Paul Sportelli
Dora Tomassi
Ivory Neal
Director
Designer
Lighting Designer
Dance Sequences and Puppetry
Music Director/Composer
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager

The Shaw Festival's 2017 season is on stage April 5 through October 15. The playbill features Me and My Girl, Saint Joan, Dracula, 1837: The Farmers' Revolt, Androcles and the Lion, Wilde Tales, The Madness of George III, Dancing at Lughnasa, An Octoroon, Middletown, 1979 and Secret Theatre.

Direct bus service from Toronto to Niagara-on-the-Lake on the Shaw Express began April 5. Patrons can choose to come for one day or stay for the weekend with a round trip costing $25. A ticket to a 2017 Shaw Festival performance is required to access this service.

Tickets for the 2017 Festival season and Shaw Express are available through the Box Office at 1-800-511-SHAW and online at www.shawfest.com.

The Shaw Festival celebrates the life and spirit of Bernard Shaw by creating theatre that is as entertaining and provocative as Shaw himself. For more information, visit www.shawfest.com.