Shaw Festival Announces Fall Lecture Series

Shaw Festival Announces Fall Lecture Series

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, September 24, 2008 ’Ķ The Shaw Festival is thrilled to announce its second fall celebrity lecture series: Four Lectures in the Provocative Spirit of Bernard Shaw. Funded by the Government of Ontario’Äôs Celebrate Ontario Festival and Event Enhancement initiative, The Shaw will present lectures by Seymour Hersh, Stevie Cameron, Tomson Highway and Dr. Samantha Nutt.

Inspired by the brilliance, bravery, humanity and humour of Bernard Shaw, the Shaw Festival is a crucible of progressive and provocative ideas which illuminate our understanding of today’Äôs world. Relevant and engaging theatre on the festival’Äôs three stages is enhanced each season with a robust education program. Like Shaw’Äôs, the work of these four prominent and passionate speakers shines light on the dilemmas of our world, encouraging us all to take action.

On announcing this year’Äôs lecture series, Shaw Festival Executive Director Colleen Blake said: ’ÄúThe speakers we will present in our lecture series this year illustrate how the provocative spirit of Bernard Shaw still lives in discussions about today’Äôs critical world issues. We were thrilled with the audience reception to last year’Äôs inaugural series, which included Ken Wiwa, Mary Walsh, Sir Salman Rushdie and Tim Flannery, and are delighted that, thanks to the Government of Ontario, we are able to continue the series this season.’Äù

Seymour Hersh October 12, 2008

Seymour Hersh is one of America’Äôs most respected and groundbreaking investigative journalists. He has broken some of the biggest cover ups of the modern era -- from My Lai to Abu Ghraib -- and his work continues to uncover deceit and challenge corruption at the highest levels. In his analysis of U.S. foreign policy, he exposes the often shadowy world where official foreign policy stance meets political reality in other parts of the world. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Hersh is also the author of Chain of Command and The Dark Side of Camelot.

Stevie Cameron October 19, 2008

Award-winning journalist Stevie Cameron is also a successful author, commentator, humanitarian and founding editor of Elm Street Magazine. Cameron's passion for writing, uncovering and dissecting stories of the day have earned her acclaim as one of Canada's foremost investigative journalists. In her lectures, Cameron takes a critical look at Canadian politics, business, society and the future.

Tomson Highway October 26, 2008

Tomson Highway is a playwright, author, musician, multilingual speaker, member of the Order of Canada and recipient of five doctorates. Throughout his life, he has overcome incredible obstacles, including the residential school system, prejudice, and struggles to have his work recognized, to become one of Canada’Äôs foremost aboriginal and creative voices.

Dr. Samantha Nutt November 2, 2008

Dr. Samantha Nutt is Founder and Executive Director of War Child Canada. A medical doctor with over 13 years experience working in war zones and committed to peace, human rights and social justice, her ambition has always been to help war-affected women and children. Called one of ’Äú12 Canadians making a difference’Äù by Maclean’Äôs Magazine, she has received numerous awards for her work, including Canada’Äôs Top 40 Under 40 Award.

Each lecture will be held at 11 am in the Royal George Theatre, 85 Queen St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Tickets are $20 each or $65 for the series and $10 each for students. Tickets are available online at www.shawfest.com or by calling the Shaw Festival Box Office at 1-800-511-7429 or 905-468-2172.

The 2008 season is proudly presented by HSBC Bank Canada/HSBC Bank USA, N.A.