The Stratford Adventure
1953
39 min
Coming soon
This short film depicts how a small Canadian city, bearing the name of Stratford and by a river Avon, created its own renowned Shakespearean theatre. The film tells how the idea grew, how a famous British director, international stars and Canadian talent were recruited, and how the Stratford Shakespearean Festival finally became a triumphant reality. For more background information about this film, please visit the NFB.ca blog.
Details
This short film depicts how a small Canadian city, bearing the name of Stratford and by a river Avon, created its own renowned Shakespearean theatre. The film tells how the idea grew, how a famous British director, international stars and Canadian talent were recruited, and how the Stratford Shakespearean Festival finally became a triumphant reality.
For more background information about this film, please visit the NFB.ca blog.
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film editorDouglas Tunstell
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sound recordingJoseph Champagne
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sound editingKenneth Heeley-Ray
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re-recordingClarke Daprato
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narratorJohn Drainie
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scriptGudrun Parker
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musicLouis Applebaum
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producerGuy Glover
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directorMorten Parker
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photographyDonald Wilder
Education
Ages 13 to 18
Arts Education - Drama
Media Education - Documentary Film
Compare and contrast the Stratford Theatre today and in the early fifties when the documentary was filmed. What significance does the theatre have in the town? Region? Province? Describe the challenges the Stratford Theatre had to overcome in order to establish itself. What documentary techniques are used in this film? What changes would you suggest to improve the documentary? What role do seasonal festivals such as the Stratford Festival play in popular culture? Research other seasonal festivals such as the Shaw Festival.
