The Shakespeare INN**** 

The Shakespeare Inn is a Bavarian Style International-Hosted Inn Purpose-Built to serve Theatre guests for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival Theatre-with dozens of Posters of Theatre’s <<<==========

past odorning the Lobby’s & Hallways for reminiscing of plays you have experienced as a school-child and/or an adult in the years & decades past. We feature Executive Suites, Extended Stays and Newly Upgraded Modern guest rooms. We offer a "Royal Shakespearean Welcome” from the Mermaid in the Courtyard to the Boutique Shakespeare Inn atmosphere right in the Heart of Ontario's Great Shakespeare Festival Theatre Country.   Shakespeare is just 5 minutes from Stratford-and right on HWY 7&8-Huron Rd-and The Shakespeare Inn is right on your way to-and just minutes from the Stratford  Shakespeare Festival Theatre. Come enjoy the Gracious International Hospitality of our Boutique Inn.  

The Shakespeare INN**** is the centrally located accommodation, for Southwest Ontario Festivals, and is located in the 

Hamlet of Shakespeare- and right on HWY 7&8- Huron Rd-and within a 

short drive of everything happening in the Southwest of Ontario. Stay in our clean and bright rooms and suites, 

shop and play in Shakespeare, and enjoy all that Southwest Ontario has to offer. From the Stratford Festival Theatre in our backyard-a short 5 minutes away, or to 

 Drayton’s 6 Festival Theatre’s  each just a short drive away.

The Continent’s Largest and Finest Theatre Festival Lives Right Next Door in Stratford, Ontario

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Antoni Cimolino announces final season as Stratford artistic director

'I could not be prouder,' said Antoni Cimolino as he introduced his final slate of shows as Artistic Director. With beloved actors returning and new voices joining the fold, the stage is set for an unforgettable farewell season at Canada’s premier theatre festival

• While the 2025 season continues to captivate audiences, with four productions extended into autumn and mid-December, momentum is already building for what’s to come. In his final year as Artistic Director, Antoni Cimolino announces the casting for the 12 productions set to take the stage in 2026.

“The 2026 season marks my final year as Artistic Director and I could not be prouder of the extraordinary artists who have come together with such enthusiasm to create theatrical magic at Stratford. This season draws together many of my very favourite stories, glorious plays that offer boundless opportunity for artistic discovery. To bring them to vibrant life demands a company of exceptional range and depth, and I am thrilled to say that this outstanding ensemble meets the challenge with both brilliance and heart,” says Cimolino. “These remarkable artists, among the most promising and accomplished of our time, are joined by visionary directors and creative teams, all eager to share their artistry with you next season at the Stratford Festival. This year, as in years past, I am in their debt.”

Stratford Festival announces new artistic director

Celebrated director and producer Jonathan Church will officially succeed Antoni Cimolino on Nov. 1, 2026.

 Oct 01, 2025  

After an exhaustive global search, the Stratford Festival has hired one of the United Kingdom’s most celebrated stage directors and producers as its next artistic director.

“We are thrilled to announce that Jonathan Church has accepted our offer to become the next artistic director of the Stratford Festival,” David Adams, chair of the Festival’s board of directors, said in a release announcing the appointment.

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Canada’s Stratford Festival welcomes visitors from all over the world every year to enjoy world-class theatre and musical experiences. Combining traditional Shakespeare, contemporary dramas, classic stories, a new telling of a beloved children’s tale, and two iconic musicals that will have you dancing in your seat, this is truly a season for everyone.

Performances span April through December and we invite you to check their site for ticket details. While you eagerly await your next visit, make sure you check out their subscription platform, STRATFEST@HOME. This high-definition streaming platform features films of Stratford Festival’s own productions, featuring Shakespeare plays along with other entertaining content. There are a lot of new and exciting things to come, including the new Tom Patterson Theatre—a stunning venue that supports more performances than ever before. Say hello as you surround this engaging and intimate, yet epic, new stage.

But that’s not all the Festival offers. Complementing the shows is The Meighen Forum, which offers workshops, speakers, panels, special performances and much more! You’re invited behind the scenes to take a tour, check out their huge stash of costumes and props, or the storied Festival Theatre itself!

There is so much to immerse yourself in, so make sure to check the Stratford Festival website stratfordfestival.ca or download the StratFest OnSite App to your phone or tablet to see when you can visit.  See you soon!

Stratford’s enduring magic

This theatre town is a bit like New York City that way — minus about eight million people, but the glow is just as bright.

Shakespeare Gardens was created 90 years ago as a replica of an English garden.

New Hamburg Moparfest  is just minutes away, & Wellesley Apple Butter & Cheese Festival Sept - 10 minutes. We are just 15 minutes to Woodstock Outdoor Farm Shows and business centers. Whether is's Maple Sugar Festivals, World Class Horseshoe  Tournaments, or World Crokinole and Country Dance Competitions, and whether you are looking for unique and Upscale Hotels, or Quiet Boutique Country Inns, we are your premier accommodation choice.

Just 20 minutes to St Jacobs Farmers Markets - or Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest - or  Bright-Walter's Family  Theatre Music Venue - or St Mary's baseball and a short 45 minutes to Blyth Festival Theatre.  

   Depending on the season, you may be greeted with flowers, showers or great snowmobiling-with trails right at the Inn. In every season, you will find our lobby a welcome respite from the storms and a friendly haven from the frazzle and dazzle of modern life. From sunup to 11 pm you will be greeted with a smile fron friendly hosts.  The shine of our lobby reflects the experience you will find in our rooms and suites. Your stay in the Shakespeare INN will be your first and most lasting impression as you take in all our region has to offer.  

Please feel free to bring you pets & other furry friends along-we have a  facility in the Greater Stratford Area community, Tails Wag Inn, to happily accommodate them on your stay. 

EXPERIENCE STRATFORD THEATER’S 11 2025 SEASON PLAYS 

For 2025, the Stratford Festival will be showcasing a variety of performances, including Shakespeare's "As You Like It," "Macbeth," and "The Winter's Tale," along with musicals like "Annie" and "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels". They'll also be featuring classic plays such as "Sense and Sensibility" and "Dangerous Liaisons," and some contemporary Canadian productions like "Forgiveness" and "The Art of War". A new commission, "Anne of Green Gables," will also be part of the season. 

Here's a more detailed look at the 2025 Stratford Festival lineup:

Festival Theatre:

• Annie: A musical, likely to be family-friendly.
• Sense and Sensibility: A classic comedy, based on Jane Austen's novel.
• Dangerous Liaisons: A classic drama.
• Macbeth: A Shakespearean tragedy.
• Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: A musical comedy.
• Anne of Green Gables: A Stratford Festival commission, likely a family-friendly production. 
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Tom Patterson Theatre:

• As You Like It: A Shakespearean comedy.
• The Winter's Tale: A Shakespearean comedy.
• Forgiveness: A contemporary Canadian play.
• Ransacking Troy: A contemporary drama.
• The Art of War: A contemporary Canadian play. 

Studio Theatre:

• Macbeth: A Shakespearean tragedy. 

Avon Theatre:

• The Winter's Tale: A Shakespearean comedy.
• Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: A musical comedy.
• Anne of Green Gables: A Stratford Festival commission, likely a family-friendly production. 

Welcome To Stratford Theatre Accommodation & Stratford Hotel Stays for Stratford Shakespeare Festival Theatre Country!!

Shakespeare Inn Management