Stratford's former artistic director Richard Monette is returning to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival for a brief period to assist with early rehearsals of the Langham-directed Love's Labour's Lost, the Festival announced.

Langham, 88, broke his leg the week of March 3 and is unable to be present for the first two weeks of rehearsal. He remains committed to the production.

Monette will take the company through the early rehearsal process of Love's Labour's beginning March 17. Langham has said he will be able to travel as of March 27.

"We are all looking forward to Michael's arrival," stated general director Antoni Cimolino, "and we are very grateful to Richard for undertaking this project for the Festival, the company and for Michael."

Langham, who was the Festival's artistic director from 1956 to 1967, is directing Simon Callow's There Reigns Love, in addition to Love's Labour's Lost. The latter Shakespeare comedy will play the Tom Patterson Theatre May 21-Oct. 4.

For more information about the famed Stratford Shakespeare Festival, visit www.stratfordfestival.ca.