Brian Bedford, celebrated in North America for his performances in plays by Moliere, will wear a crucifix around his neck in Tartuffe, opening Aug. 11 at the Festival Theatre of the Stratford Festival in Ontario.
Richard Monette directs the Richard Wilbur translation of the comedy about a falsely pious con artist who dupes the gullible and passes as a man of high morals and religious principles.
Bedford, a Stratford veteran, earned a Tony Award nomination playing in The Moliere Comedies in 1995.
The set design is based on Stratford founding designer Tanya Moiseiwitsch's works, and realized by designer Douglas Paraschuk.
The company includes Timothy Askew as Valere, Bedford as Tartuffe, James Blendick as Orgon, Patricia Collins as Mme. Pernelle, Keith Dinicol as Cleante, Michele Graff as Flipote, Claire Jullien, Andrew Linley as a gendarme, Tim MacDonald as Damis, Seana McKenna as Dorine, Lucy Peacock as Elmire, Eric Robertson as a gendarme, Joseph Shaw as M. Loyal and Andy Velasquez as a police officer. Designers are Ann Curtis (costume), Kevin Fraser (lighting), Jim Neil (sound). Music is by Gabriel Charpentier. Fight direction is by James Binkley, and movement is by John Broome.
Tartuffe previews began Aug. 1. Performances continue to Nov. 3. For information, call (800) 567 1600.