The Shaw Festival, located in the picturesque small town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, it is the second largest classical repertory theatre in North America. The company has chosen as its mandate the plays of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries (1856 - 1950) - "plays about the beginning of the modern world and beyond." This mandate is unique in the world of theatre.

The company started in the summer of 1962 with an ambitious group of amateurs giving eight weekend performances in a meeting-room in the town's heritage courthouse. By 1999 it had evolved into a large, fully professional enterprise giving 811 performances in three well-equipped playhouses to audiences totaling over 320,000. Telling The Shaw's story in the form of data, this book details the breadth of choice and the persistent growth of this remarkable theatre company. This title is a must have for fans and scholars alike.

About the Author:

Denis Johnston served as the Shaw Festival's publications editor and audience outreach until the end of the 2005 season.