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Blue-filtered photo of three cloaked, hooded figures standing before an old stone tower, their backs turned toward us, in the mist. There's a cloudy night sky with a hint of light in the background.
Blue-filtered photo of three cloaked, hooded figures standing before an old stone tower, their backs turned toward us, in the mist. There's a cloudy night sky with a hint of light in the background.

Professional theatre Professional theatre

presented under the stars and by the river.

Home Events Performance St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival 2026

St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival 2026

From Thursday, July 16 to Saturday, August 8, 2026 – The St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival presents its 2026 season, including the world premiere of a musical adaptation of Romeo & Juliet, an immersive production of the classic tragedy Macbeth and a Spotlight Series of three shows showcasing local talent. Presented at the Kinsmen Amphitheatre, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and the Maitland Tower.

A world premiere musical & an immersive historical adventure

This season’s featured performances include a musical adaptation of Romeo & Juliet titled R&J and Joni and a walk-about production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth titled Macbeth at the Tower. Directed by St. Lawrence Theatre Festival Co-Artistic Directors Julia Nish-Lapidus (R&J and Joni) and James Wallis (Macbeth at the Tower), these two productions feature some of Canada’s top actor-musicians. Read about the cast and creative teams here.

The 2026 season kicks off with R&J and Joni. This world premiere adaptation of Romeo and Juliet brings William Shakespeare’s words together with the music of Canadian icon Joni Mitchell in a fully staged musical. Audiences will experience a new way of seeing and hearing one of the most famous plays in the English language.

The festival continues with Macbeth at the Tower. This production will see the audience changing locations and following the action as the play progresses – experiencing Shakespeare up close and personal in Maitland Tower, an epic historical setting.

Showcasing local talent

The St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival welcomes three local companies to take the Kinsmen Amphitheatre stage for the Spotlight Series, showcasing Eastern Ontario’s remarkable immense talent.

  • JOSIAH. Originally co-created by Cassel Miles and Charles Robertson, and written by Charles Robertson. This solo performance unfolds as a tapestry of history, illuminating author and abolitionist Josiah Henson’s journey from the shadows of enslavement to the dawn of freedom in Canada.
  • Clowns Reading Shakespeare. Created by Kenzia Dalie and Panoply Theatre Collective. A family-friendly theatrical performance featuring a troupe of red-nosed clowns auditioning for a diva Director and her yet-to-be-determined Shakespeare show.
  • Echoes Down the River. Created by Jessica de Bruyn. Five beloved local performers weave together the history of world-class opera house Brockville Arts Centre with their own stories from within its walls, creating a love letter to the stage that raised them.
About the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival

The St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival is the premier outdoor summer theatre festival in Eastern Ontario. They present world-class professional productions in their outdoor amphitheatre nestled along the scenic St. Lawrence River in Prescott, Ontario. Their repertoire includes Shakespearean classics, innovative new interpretations, musical celebrations and original works, catering to audiences of all ages. Read more about them here.

Blue-filtered photo of three cloaked, hooded figures standing before an old stone tower, their backs turned toward us, in the mist. There's a cloudy night sky with a hint of light in the background.

(Photo credits: St. Lawrence Theatre Festival. Macbeth at the Tower. All photos by Ashton Mayes.)

 

Event details

Presented by: St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival 

Type of event: outdoor theatre festival

Dates, times & running times: The festival runs from Thursday, July 16 – Saturday, August 8, 2026. See specific dates, times and running times for each show below. Please note: The Spotlight Series shows have only one performance each.

  • R&J and Joni: Thursday, July 16 – Saturday, August 8 (the first public performance is Friday, July 17) @ 7:00 PM ET, 3:00 PM ET or 1:00 PM ET – please see the schedule for exact dates and times for each performance (running time TBA)
  • Macbeth at the Tower: Friday, July 24 – Friday, August 7 @ various times – please see the schedule (75 minutes, including travel between locations – no intermission)
  • Spotlight Series – JOSIAH: Tuesday, July 21 @ 7:00 PM ET (80 minutes, no intermission)
  • Spotlight Series – Clowns Reading Shakespeare: Tuesday, July 28 @ 7:00 PM ET (1 hour, no intermission)
  • Spotlight Series – Echoes Down the River: Tuesday, August 4 @ 7:00 PM ET (90 minutes, plus 1 intermission)

Cost: Prices include HST. Please note that all tickets purchased at the door will include an additional C$3.00.

  • Adults: C$39.00
  • Students: C$26.00
  • Children (14 & under): Children go free for all shows at the Kinsmen Amphitheatre (R&J and Joni & the Spotlight Series performances). A limited number of free children’s tickets for Macbeth at the Tower are available per performance. Otherwise, children’s tickets for this show will be C$20.00 per ticket (C$23.00 at the door).
  • 2-show Flex Pass: C$70.20
  • 3-show Flex Pass: C$99.45
  • Dinner & A Show package: Add C$20.00 to your ticket purchase for a C$25.00 voucher for one of select local restaurants.
  • Ways to save: Get C$5.00 off on tickets (in advance and at the door) for Monday evening and Wednesday matinée performances. Also, for select performances, Prescott residents can purchase their ticket for C$20.00 at the door only (no advance or online sales for this offer).

Locations: Please note the alternate venue for Kinsmen Amphitheatre shows for extreme weather days and the R&J and Joni indoor performance on Wednesday, August 5.

  • R&J and Joni, JOSIAH, Clowns Reading Shakespeare & Echoes Down the River: Kinsmen Amphitheatre, 101 Water St. W., Prescott, ON, K0E 1T0.
  • R&J and Joni Aug. 5 indoor performance and Kinsmen Amphitheatre alternate venue: St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 425 Centre St., Prescott, ON, K0E 1T0
  • Macbeth at the Tower: Maitland Tower, 1243 County Rd. 2, Maitland, ON, K0E 1P0

Directions to Prescott, ON: Info & map here.

FAQ page: Check out tips & info on attending the festival.

Booking links: Find info on booking the Dinner & A Show package here, including Terms & Conditions and details of how and when you’ll receive your Dinner & A Show restaurant voucher.

Contact details: St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival, 202 King St. W., Prescott, ON, K0E 1T0, Canada; (613) 925-5788, info@stlawrenceshakespeare.ca, stlawrenceshakespeare.ca

 

Content warning: JOSIAH includes the use of historically accurate language that may be offensive or triggering. Clowns Reading Shakespeare includes audience interaction.

Kinsmen Amphitheatre accessibility: Kinsmen Amphitheatre has access for wheelchairs and visitors with disabilities on the bottom level of the site next to the river, including the box office and toilets in the Marina building. They have an accessible area in the front row for those with limited mobility. Unfortunately, due to the terrain, there is no accessible access to the higher levels of the auditorium from the river level. If you have other seating requirements, please phone them to discuss your needs: (613) 925-5788.

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church accessibility: Please contact the church at yourstandrews@cogeco.net or (613) 925-3725.

The Maitland Tower accessibility: Macbeth at the Tower is accessible for people with various mobility needs, including wheelchair users and those with walkers/canes. Feel free to contact the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival with any questions (see contact info above). The show moves throughout the Maitland Tower site to five different locations, all within a short one-minute walk of each other. The terrain includes some inclines. Support will be available for anyone will accessibility needs. Check in with a volunteer or staff member when you arrive. Each location will have options for both seating and standing for the audience, with seating prioritized for those who need it.

Refund policy: Except as noted for show cancellations, they’re sorry, but there are no refunds. Subject to availability, patrons can exchange their tickets up to 24 hours before showtime online. Follow the link in your confirmation email to exchange your ticket online or contact them by phone or at the box office.