How to plan the perfect trip to the Stratford Festival
The 73 rd season of the Stratford Festival has opened to great fanfare — the heat of summer meets the passion of theatre. Themes of Harmony, Love and War provide apropos parallels to our present day and confirm the timeless relevancy of Shakespeare and the intimacy and immediacy of live theatre. The Stratford Festival in Ontario is one of Canada's signature experiences and is unmatched in North America. Here are the best ways to get the optimal value out of your trip to the theatre!
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By whose direction found'st thou out this place?
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How do we get there? Without any care in the world about traffic, gas or parking, we hop on the Stratford Direct Bus that takes us from downtown Toronto to the theatre and back in easy comfort and style. What can we do when we get there? Beyond the proscenium, the town of Stratford is renowned as being one of the most uniquely charming epicurean destinations in Canada. For things to do from shopping to dining, boating to garden strolls: This is It!
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Several event series are offered to bolster our entertainment value. Peer Into the Playbill Events includes panel discussions featuring special guests, from artists and directors to scholars, convening to explore the themes and issues presented in the 2025 playbill. These series, from the oral traditions of storytelling, to the art of movement and choreography, to animal metaphors, and even creating art during war, are as evocative as they are intellectually stimulating. We gain insights into creative processes and how we can connect the dots to their real-world relevance.
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The Meighen Forum Events provide thought provoking dialogue about the performances that inspire us to think about what we're watching beyond entertainment value and, at the same time, deepen the entertainment value.
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When booking tickets, be sure to check out Forum Theme Weeks. The CBC Ideas Week Events explore what it takes to create peace and what ideas and values can knit a society back together; Global Theatre Week Events explores how stories in theatre and culture are shared around the world and through time. For example, for those seeing Anne of Green Gables, a fascinating addition to the experience is Anne of Green Gables in Japan and Beyond; and for those seeing Ransacking Troy, don't miss the dynamic examination of Ensemble Work from Ancient Greece to the Present.
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International Media at the Forum Events punctuate the season as journalists and critics from around the world visit the Stratford Festival to watch performances and speak with the artists at the Meighen Forum. This enables us to listen to insights that we otherwise might not have considered. To hear critical conversation about the play and the production only enriches our understanding and appreciation for the performance.
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