The Tom Patterson Theatre stands at 111 Lakeside Drive, on the edge of Lake Victoria and the Avon River, with 600 seats and a stage used for Shakespeare and classic plays. Beside it, Lazaridis Hall opened in May 2022 as a LEED Gold-registered building with 185 seats and an elongated thrust stage, and it hosts forums and special events as well as shows. The Festival's fourth stage, the Studio Theatre at 34 George Street East, has 185 seats and opened in 2002, with a small thrust stage that suits new Canadian plays and intimate classics. The Festival announces each season's plays, and the Tom Patterson stage is usually home to Shakespeare and classics, with new and intimate work at the Studio. Together they are the Festival's smaller, closer rooms, and the lakeside one is the prettiest walk of the four.
What to do
Choose these stages when you want a more intimate evening than the big houses give. The Tom Patterson Theatre is the Shakespeare choice, and arriving early gives time to stroll the lakeside path, watch the swans and look at the Shakespearean Gardens along the water. The Studio Theatre is the right pick for new plays, and its steeply raked seating puts almost everyone within a few feet of the stage.
Seasons and planning
Both stages are dark outside the Festival season, which runs roughly from late April to the end of October. The Festival announces each year's plays and ticket sale dates, so check its site for the current productions. The Studio Theatre's seating is steep and entered by steps, apart from wheelchair spaces, so check access details if you have limited mobility. The Festival lists mobility seating and parking for each theatre.
Fitting it in
Allow three hours for a show. Paid parking near the Tom Patterson Theatre is in the Water Street lot, with a lower price if pre-booked, and limited free parking is off Morenz Drive. The Studio Theatre uses downtown metered parking. Both are a pleasant walk from downtown hotels such as the Mercer Hotel Downtown and the Queen's Cue, and the Festival's backstage tours of the Tom Patterson Theatre run on set dates in season.
What to expect
The experience
A live performance in a smaller Festival room, the 600-seat lakeside theatre or the 185-seat Studio Theatre downtown.
Best time
The season runs from late April to October, and both stages are dark outside it.
How long
Allow three hours for a show, with extra time for the lakeside walk before it.
Tips
Arrive early for the lakeside path, pre-book parking with your tickets, and check the Studio Theatre's steep steps if mobility is a concern.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Shakespeare lovers and anyone who prefers a close, intimate theatre to a big house.
- Families
- Check the age guidance first, since the Shakespeare and new plays here suit older children best, and look for productions marked as family friendly.
- Couples
- Walk the lake path before an evening show, then dine downtown.
- Pair with
- The Shakespearean Gardens and the Avon River path run right beside the lakeside theatre.
- Time needed
- About three hours for a show.
Good questions
Is the Tom Patterson Theatre open in November?+
Generally no. The theatres are dark outside the Festival season and reopen in late April.
Where is the Tom Patterson Theatre?+
It is at 111 Lakeside Drive, beside Lake Victoria and the Avon River. Lazaridis Hall, which opened in 2022, is next to it.
Where is the Studio Theatre?+
The Studio Theatre is at 34 George Street East in downtown Stratford and seats 185. It has a small thrust stage and is used for new and classical plays.
What is playing here?+
The Festival announces each season's plays. The Tom Patterson stage usually has Shakespeare and classics, and the Studio has new and intimate work. Check the Festival's site for the current playbill.
Is parking available?+
The Water Street lot near the Tom Patterson Theatre is paid, with a lower rate if pre-booked, and there is limited free parking off Morenz Drive. The Studio Theatre uses downtown metered parking.
