British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

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

Credits

Contributor
Aemilia Hall; Alec Guinness; Cecil Clark; Irene Worth; Robert Christie; Tanya Moiseiwitsch; Thom Benson; Tom Patterson; Tyrone Guthrie; Walter Kerr

Additional Details

Production type
Documentary/Educational/News
Plays
Richard III
Subjects
Drama
Keywords
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Stratford (Ontario) Shakespeare Festival

Production Company

Name

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Archive

Name

Library and Archives Canada

Web
http://www.collectionscanada.ca External site opens in new window
Phone
(613) 996-5115
Fax
(613) 996-6274
Address
395 Wellington Street
Ottawa
ON K11 ON4
Canada

Record Stats

This record has been viewed 447 times.