PARADISE LOST Is Now On Stage At Stratford Festival

Previews begin today for the world première of Erin Shields's exciting new interpretation of John Milton's Paradise Lost. Directed by Jackie Maxwell, the production opens on August 17, and with three performances added to meet audience demand, it now runs until October 21 at the Studio Theatre.

In this Festival-commissioned adaptation, Shields turns Heaven and Hell upside down in a witty, modern, feminist retelling of Milton's epic poem about the first battle between good and evil. The 17th century and present day are seamlessly intertwined as Satan vents to the audience about her frustration at being cast out of Heaven and her thoughts on oppression. When she finds out that God has created delicate new creatures called "humans," she crafts a plan for revenge and betrayal on the Almighty. The debate over right and wrong has never been so satisfying.

"What would a season about Free Will be without an exploration of Adam and Eve's decision to eat that apple?" says Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino. "This script is brilliant: a cheeky, irreverent and fiercely engaging adaptation of the great epic poem by one of the country's most promising playwrights. The cast of characters includes God, his Son, the archangels, Adam and Eve, Satan and a host of devils - and it includes a play within a play performed by a heavenly choir. It is profound, thought-provoking and delightful throughout."

The cast features Lucy Peacock as Satan with Qasim Khan and Amelia Sargisson as Adam and Eve.

The creative team includes Designer Judith Bowden, Lighting Designer Bonnie Beecher, Composer Thomas Ryder Payne, Sound Designer Deanna Haewon Choi, Dramaturge Bob White, Fight Director John Stead and Movement Director Valerie Moore.

This production draws on creative learning and development fostered in the Stratford Festival's Laboratory.

Paradise Lost opens on August 17 and runs until October 21 at the Studio Theatre.

Support for the 2018 season of the Studio Theatre is generously provided by Sandra & Jim Pitblado.

The Forum is a series of events, such as exclusive showcases, guest speakers, special meals, music and family fun, that offer theatregoers a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the ideas and issues raised by the 2018 playbill.

ENGENDERING THE STAGE

Wednesday, October 10

10:45 a.m. to noon

While women were excluded from the London stage in Shakespeare's time, they did perform in other European countries. How did these actresses shape female roles in English theatre, and how do they inform practices in later periods, including our own? A discussion featuring veteran company member Lucy Peacock and McMaster University scholars Melinda Gough and Peter Cockett.

The Stratford Festival's 2018 season runs until November 11, featuring The Tempest, The Comedy of Errors, Coriolanus, Julius Caesar, The Music Man, The Rocky Horror Show, Long Day's Journey Into Night, An Ideal Husband, To Kill a Mockingbird, Napoli Milionaria!, Brontë: The World Without and Paradise Lost. For tickets and more information, visit stratfordfestival.ca or call 1.800.567.1600.

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