Stratford Casting 2027
The Stratford Festival has announced casting for its 2027 season a scant eleven days before tickets go on sale to members.
While you are sharpening your pencils and before I pass you on to the official details, allow me a few observations.
Stephen Ouimette returns after a too-long absence to play Polonius in Hamlet and the Duke in Merchant of Venice.
Speaking of Hamlet, I am pleased to see that the rumour that Artistic Director Jonathan Church would bring over a major English star for the role has proved to be baseless. Instead, the lead will be undertaken by Thomas Duplessie, a local lad who scored as Demetrius in this season’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. Can he be the youngest Hamlet in Festival history? If you know, enlighten me in the comments.
When Tim Carroll took over as Artistic Director at Shaw, he began to poach Stratford talent. So I was amused to note that fellow Brit Church has returned the compliment by luring the wonderful Peter Fernandes to appear in all three Shakespeares.
Bethany Jillard, whom I still remember fondly from her turn as the ingenue in 2014’s Beaux Stratagem, is returning after another long absence to take on Portia in Merchant of Venice.
And, of course, the return of Donna Feore‘s transcendent production of 2022’s Chicago is yet more cause for celebration.
Enough of my musings. I’m sure everyone will have their own favourites in today’s Stratford Casting Announcement.
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