The Shaw Festival, a theatre company inspired by the work of George Bernard Shaw that produces plays from and about his era as well as contemporary plays that share his exploration of society and celebration of humanity, has announced its 56th season. It will be the first led by new artistic director Tim Carrol.
The lineup of 11 plays includes two of Shaw’s most admired works, Saint Joan and Androcles and the Lion, among other titles. The lineup of directors includes Shaw Festival newcomers Eric Coates, Ashlie Corcoran, Christine Brubaker, Krista Jackson and Kevin Bennett as well as Festival veterans Eda Holmes, Philip Akin and Peter Hinton.
“As soon as we met Tim Carroll we knew he would bring something special to The Shaw,” said Peter Jewett, head of the search committee for the new artistic director and incoming Chair. “His first season shows how true that is. With huge enthusiasm, I look forward to joining audiences in the conversations his selections will inspire.”
Carroll began his career with the English Shakespeare Company in 1990 before becoming the associate director at the Northcott Theatre in Exeter. Carroll’s opera experience includes seven years as the artistic director of Kent Opera. While the associate director of Shakespeare’s Globe in London, his productions of Twelfth Night and Richard III had record-breaking runs in the West End and a Tony Award-winning run on Broadway. He will officially take over for current artistic director Jackie Maxwell December 1.
A look at the Shaw Fest lineup follows:
FESTIVAL THEATRE
Me and My Girl
Book and lyrics by L. Arthur Rose and Douglas Furber
Book revised by Stephen Fry, with contributions by Mike Ockrent
Music by Noel Gay
Directed by Ashlie Corcoran
Saint Joan
By George Bernard Shaw
Directed by Tim Carroll
Dracula
By Bram Stoker
Adapted for the stage by Liz Lochhead
Directed by Eda Holmes
COURT HOUSE THEATRE
1837: The Farmers’ Revolt
A play by Rick Salutin and Theatre Passe Muraille
Directed by Philip Akin
Androcles and the Lion
By George Bernard Shaw
Directed by Tim Carroll
Wilde Tales (Lunchtime One-Act)
Stories for Children by Oscar Wilde
Adapted for the stage by Kate Hennig
Directed by Christine Brubaker
ROYAL GEORGE THEATRE
The Madness of George III
By Alan Bennett
Directed by Kevin Bennett
Dancing at Lughnasa
By Brian Friel
Directed by Krista Jackson
An Octoroon
By Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Directed by Peter Hinton
STUDIO THEATRE
Middletown
By Will Eno
Director TBA
1979
By Michael Healey
Directed by Eric Coates
In co-production with the Great Canadian Theatre Company
Tickets to the Shaw Festival’s 2017 season will go on sale to members November 5 and to the public December 3. For more information, visit ShawFest.com.
