Key 2009 Casting

In 2009, we'll see Geraint Wyn Davies back for another season and Jonathan Goad return to the classics.

Julius Caesar will be directed by James MacDonald and run May 23 through October 31 at the Avon Theatre. Its principal cast includes:

-- Geraint Wyn Davies as Julius Caesar
-- Ben Carlson as Brutus
-- Jonathan Goad as Marc Antony
-- Tom Rooney as Cassius
-- Yanna McIntosh as Calphurnia
-- Cara Ricketts as Portia

Macbeth will be directed by Des McAnuff and run May 22 to October 31 at the Festival Theatre. Its principal cast includes:

-- Colm Feore as Macbeth (previously announced)
-- Yanna McIntosh as Lady Macbeth
-- Geraint Wyn Davies as Duncan
-- Dion Johnstone as Macduff
-- Gareth Potter as Malcolm
-- Sophia Walker as Lady Macduff

A Midsummer Night's Dream will be directed by David Grindley and run August 7 to October 30 at the Festival Theatre. Its principal cast includes:

-- Geraint Wyn Davies as Bottom
-- Dion Johnstone as Oberon
-- Yanna McIntosh as Titania
-- Tom Rooney as Puck
-- Laura Condlln as Helena
-- Gareth Potter as Lysander
-- Sophia Walker as Hermia

2008 Tyrone Guthrie Awards

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival's 2008 Tyrone Guthrie Awards recently rewarded company members, theatre staff, and alumni with more than $60,000 for training, development, and special projects.

A few winners are listed below. You can read the entire list in the press release.

Abigail Winter-Culliford -- winner of the Mary Savage Award for an actress who has shown outstanding commitment to her craft. Winter-Culliford appeared this season as Moth in Love's Labours Lost after debuting last season as Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird.

Stephen Kent -- winner of the John Hirsch Award for the young actor who shows the greatest potential. Kent appeared this, his second season, as Bernardo in Hamlet and Rodrigo in Fuente Ovejuna.

Ben Carlson -- winner of the Max Helpmann Guthrie Award for a company member who exhibits dedication and tenacity. Carlson debuted at the Festival season as Hamlet in Hamlet, Tranio in The Taming of the Shrew, and First Lord Dumaine in All's Well That Ends Well. He will return next season as Jack in The Importance of Being Earnest.

Ron Kennell -- winner of the City of Stratford Award to assist a local resident in gaining further training. Kennell appeared this season as Reynaldo in Hamlet, Tailor in The Taming of the Shrew, and in All's Well That Ends Well.

Peter Donaldson -- winner of the William Needles Award in recoginition of special interest shown to newer company members. Donaldson celebrated his 24th season with the Festival this year, in the roles of Friar Lawrence in Romeo and Juliet, Don Armado in Love's Labours Lost, and Rufio in Caesar and Cleopatra.

Shelley Simester -- winner of the Maureen Forrester Award for advanced classical training. Simester stole a few scenes this season as Alma Hix in The Music Man, and also appeared in All's Well That Ends Well.

Earnest Cast

In the most recent bit of news for the 2009 season (since it was announced that Colm Feore is returning), we learn that Brian Bedford will both direct and star in The Importance of Being Earnest. Bedford will play Lady Bracknell.

Also in the cast are Ben Carlson as Jack, Stephen Ouimette as the Reverend Canon Chasuble, Mike Shara as Algernon, and Sara Topham as Gwendolyn.