LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN Begins Performances at Shaw Festival

An ambitious new production of Oscar Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan begins previews today on The Shaw's Festival stage. Director Peter Hinton returns to The Shaw for his first Wilde play, following his critically acclaimed Shaw Festival directorial debut in 2011 with Andrew Bovell's When the Rain Stops Falling.

Hinton worked closely with designers Teresa Przybylski (sets), William Schmuck (costume), Louise Guinand (lighting) andRichard Feren (sound) to create an original approach to Wilde's play that promotes contemporary ideas and themes, yet connects clearly to the art of the 1890s.

Wilde's early play has the wit of his later comedies, but also probes the complexities and darker desires of the human heart. Lady Windermere (Marla McLean), a young woman recently married into the aristocracy, is preparing for her birthday party. Although deeply in love with her husband Lord Windermere (Martin Happer), she is troubled by his relationship with the mysterious Mrs. Erlynne (Tara Rosling) and vulnerable to the advances of the charismatic Lord Darlington (Gray Powell). Society's high veneer of elegance and propriety threatens to crack as secrets from the past are revealed - only to be quickly suppressed.

Lady Windermere's Fan was last seen at The Shaw in 1998.

About Lady Windermere's Fan

May 9 - October 19; Opening: June 8

Lady Windermere's Fan will be on stage at the Festival Theatre (10 Queen's Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake)

Cast (in alphabetical order):

Guy Bannerman Donna Belleville Kate Besworth Kyle Blair Aadin Church Sharry Flett Martin Happer Aaron Hastelow Corrine Koslo Will Lamond Nichola Lawrence Marla McLean Patrick McManus Jim Mezon Melanie Phillipson Gray Powell Tara Rosling Harveen Sandhu Kiera Sangster Travis Seetoo EVan Alexander Smith

Parker Lady Jedburgh Lady Agatha Carlisle Mr. Cecil Graham Lord Plymdale Lady Plymdale Lord Windermere Mr. Arthur Bowden/Footman Duchess of Berwick Duke of Berwick Lady Stutfield Lady Windermere Mr. Dumby Lord Augustus Lorton Mrs. Cowper-Cowper Lord Darlington Mrs. Erlynne Miss. Graham Mrs. Arthur Bowden/Rosalie Sir James Royston/Footman Mr. Hopper

Creative Team:

Peter Hinton Teresa Przybylski William Schmuck Louise Guinand Richard Feren Meredith Macdonald Beatrice Campbell Annie McWhinnie

Director Set Designer Costume Designer Lighting Designer Sound Designer Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager

The Shaw Festival's 2013 season began April 3, runs until November 3 and features 10 productions presented on the Festival's four Niagara-on-the-Lake stages. For more information on our 2013 season, performance schedule and ticket information, please visitwww.shawfest.com or call 1-800-511-SHAW.

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