This short film depicts how a small Canadian city, bearing the name of Stratford and by a river Avon, created its own renowned Shakespearean theatre. The film tells how the idea grew, how a famous British director, international stars and Canadian talent were recruited, and how the Stratford Shakespearean Festival finally became a triumphant reality.

John Drainie
as Narrator

Michael Bates
as Self

Lloyd Bochner
as Self

Douglas Campbell
as Self

Robert Christie
as Self

Cecil Clarke
as Self

Timothy Findley
as Self

Alec Guinness
as Self

Tyrone Guthrie
as Self

Amelia Hall
as Self
CinemaSerf
Local journalist Tom Patterson decided that is was time for a Shakespearian festival in Stratford. Not the one in Warwickshire, though - this one is to be several thousand miles away in another Stratford. Ontario. Armed with just C$125 he heads to New York to gauge interest and then against the odds...