Birth of the Stratford Festival

Synopsis: Radio documentary on the first Stratford (Ontario) Shakespeare Festival relating how the Festival was conceived, financed and realised and how the audience viewed the first performance of Richard III which had previewed the previous week. Contributors include Tom Patterson who talks of his dream of having a Festival in his home town and Cecil Clark , English assistant Festival director, who speaks of the technical production requirements and how he aims for an indigenous Canadian theatre that will not simply be an offshoot of the English stage. Tyrone Guthrie tells how and why he became involved in the Festival, Tanya Moiseiwitsch, costume and scene designer, speaks of the Festival stage and its adaptability. There are also comments from Irene Worth on the costumes she wears and from Alec Guinness on his experiences in Shakespearean drama. his view of the Festival concept, why he acts, and the difficulties of working on a new stage. Narrated and presented by Thom Benson.
Language: English
Country: Canada
Medium: Radio
Transmission details: 31 Jul 1953 (Channel: CBC Radio)
Duration: 60 mins

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