Earle Grey Shakespeare Festival

The Earle Grey Players, and subsequently, the Earle Grey Shakespearean Festival was formed by British Actors Earle Grey and Mary Godwin who had come to Canada with another Theatre Company. After deciding to remain in Toronto when their company returned to England, they noticed that there was a lack of focus on the works of Shakespeare and then formed the Earle Grey Players. From there, the Earle Grey Shakespearean Festival came into being. For a short time, it was the primary source for Shakespearean content in Canada, but that was short lived with the birth of the Stratford Festival in 1953. The last Earle Grey Shakespearean Festival was held in 1959 and then disbanded. Grey and Godwin returned to England in 1960 where they remained involved in the theatre until their respective deaths.

This is a collection of prompt scripts, photographs, memorabilia, financial & administrative statements, programs, publicity, public relations and advertising materials, press clippings, drama school materials, display board, articles and reports, audience signature books, Earle Grey Shakespeare Festival publications, theatre leaflets, letters, radio scripts, posters, framed photos/sketches, audiovisual material, and related theatre information.