Shaw Festival 2024 in Niagara Falls

Enjoy an eclectic array of bold dramas, sweeping classics, and quirky comedies

Dates: April 6–December 22, 2024

The Shaw Festival held annually from April through October, is a major non-profit theatre festival in Canada. Founded in 1962 in Niagara-on-the-Lake by producer and playwright Brian Doherty, it initially focused on the works of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries. While it remains one of the foremost festivals celebrating Shaw's legacy, it has expanded to feature a diverse array of plays by various playwrights, going beyond Shaw's works alone.

The Shaw's 2024 Season

The Shaw Festival's 2024 season promises a captivating lineup across its four venues, offering audiences a range of classic and contemporary productions. At the Festival Theatre, visitors can immerse themselves in timeless favorites like My Fair Lady, One Man, Two Guvnors, and a thrilling new Sherlock Holmes mystery. The Royal George Theatre presents Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution and the beloved children's tale, The Secret Garden. The holiday season features a cherished adaptation of A Christmas Carol with a schedule from November 8 to December 22, as well as an encore of My Fair Lady to celebrate the festive spirit.

Tickets

Ticket prices for the Shaw Festival in 2024 vary depending on the production and seating selection. General admission starts at $28.25.

History

The event was first held in the town's courthouse, later known as the Court House Theatre. Doherty and his crew produced Shaw's Don Juan in Hell and Candida for eight weekends. It was an immediate success.

The festival went professional after an initial season of eight spectacles directed by Maynard Burgess. In 1966, the festival was transformed into a larger event, and in the next 10 years, it gained an international reputation, introduced musical events, and broadened its repertoire.

Significance

The Shaw Festival earned substantial international publicity, and its productions resulted in sold-out performances. In 2015, Tim Carroll was announced as Artistic Director. The Shaw Festival continues to celebrate the spirit and life of Bernard Shaw by creating theatre that is as provocative and entertaining as Shaw himself.