The Trials of Ezra Pound, the stage debut of Timothy Findley's radio play, opens at the Stratford Festival's Tom Patterson Theatre July 17 in Stratford, Ontario.

The courtroom drama, which began previews July 8, explores the real-life trial of American poet Ezra Pound, who was indicted for treason in 1943 for broadcasting anti-Semitic propaganda during World War II.

Dennis Garnhum directs a cast that features Frank Adamson as Chief Justice Bolitha Laws, Damien Atkins as Toady, Tom Barnett as Julien Cornell, Hazel Desbarats as Dorothy Shakespear, David Fox as Ezra Pound, David Francis as William Carlos Williams, Jerry Franken as Dr. Winfred Overholser, Michele Graff as Sheri Martinelli, Roy Lewis as Arthur Beatty, Shawn Mathieson as Donald Anderson, Ric Reid as Dr. Wendell Muncie, Jane Spidell as Ellen Deutsch, David Storch as Isaiah Matlack and Ashley Wright as Dr. Carlos Dalmau.

Designers are John Thompson (set), Wendy Greenwood (lighting), Derek Bruce (sound). Daryl Cloran is assistant director.

Performances continue to Aug. 17 at the festival's intimate, three-quarter thrust stage, which is named after one of Stratford's founders. For information, call (800) 567-1600 or visit the website at www.stratfordfestival.ca. — By Kenneth Jones