Media Release #10 

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, May 3, 2012 . . . Michael Morpurgo, British author of the acclaimed novel War Horse, will be giving an exclusive talk at The Shaw’s Festival Theatre on May 9, 2012 at 11 a.m. The event is open to Shaw Members and Seminar attendees, and includes a meet and greet following Morpurgo’s Connections to The Shaw talk. 

As the son of former Shaw Ensemble member Tony van Bridge, Morpurgo has long-standing ties to the Festival. His father debuted in the Festival’s seventh season, appearing in the 1968 production of Bernard Shaw’s Heartbreak House. He remained a company member until 2002.  Due to his outstanding contributions to the Canadian theatre scene, van Bridge was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 2000.  In 2004, he died at the age of 87 in Niagara-on-the-Lake. During his talk, Morpurgo will discuss memories of his father’s life at the Shaw Festival, as well as his own personal connections to The Shaw.

As a respected author, poet, librettist, and playwright, Morpurgo has clearly followed in his father’s artistic footsteps. He is perhaps best known for his children’s novel War Horse, which was adapted for the stage and most recently given the epic Steven Spielberg treatment in a film released in 2011. 

The Morpurgo speaking engagement is just one of the many exclusive events offered to Shaw Festival Members.  Other insider events include, post-show chats with members of the cast, an invitation to a dress rehearsal and costume and props warehouse tours. For more information on the Membership Program call 1-800-511-7429.

The Shaw Festival’s 2012 season began April 10, runs until October 28 and proudly features 11 productions presented on the Festival’s four Niagara-on-the-Lake stages. For more information on our 2012 season, performance schedule and ticket information, please visit www.shawfest.com.

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In the spirit of Bernard Shaw, the Shaw Festival provokes the mind and stirs the soul through a theatre experience so compelling that, year after year, ever-broadening groups of artists, audiences and supporters are drawn to our work in Niagara-on-the-Lake and beyond.

Please visit our website at www.shawfest.com/news  for other Shaw Festival media releases.

Image Bank
Our digital image bank features 300 dpi photographs of the 2012 season handbook photo illustrations, members of the Ensemble, photographs of our theatres, Bernard Shaw and the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. To access our image bank, please contact:

Odette Yazbeck 
Public Relations Director 
905-468-2153 or 1-800-657-1106 ext. 2222
odette@shawfest.com     

Jenniffer Anand
Public Relations Coordinator
905-468-2153 or 1-800-657-1106 ext. 2224
janand@shawfest.com