Stratford Festival Congratulates John Neville

The Stratford Festival is pleased to congratulate John Neville on his upcoming investiture
into the Order of Canada.

Mr. Neville, artistic director of the Stratford Festival from 1986 through 1989, will be
made a Member of the Order of Canada on Friday, May 4, at a ceremony at Rideau Hall
at 10:30 a.m.

Mr. Neville first appeared at Stratford in 1983 as a senior member of the Young
Company and in 1985 was named director of the Young Company.

“I’m very pleased to hear John has been named to the Order of Canada for his work in
theatre in Canada,” said current Artistic Director Richard Monette. “John understood the
unique challenges of being an artistic director of such a large theatrical organization. He
did his job well, presenting both challenging works and crowd-pleasers, to put the
Festival on a sound economic footing.”

In the 1950s Mr. Neville rose to prominence as one of the brightest young stars of
English classical theatre, appearing in numerous productions at the Old Vic.

He came to Canada in 1972, directing at Ottawa’s National Arts Centre and performing at
the Manitoba Theatre Centre. In 1973 he was made artistic director of Edmonton’s
Citadel Theatre. In 1978 he left Edmonton and assumed the artistic directorship of
Halifax’s Neptune Theatre, where he stayed through the 1982-83 season.

His citation from the government of Canada reads as follows:
“John Neville is a renowned actor and an esteemed artistic director. In addition to
performing roles in many theatre, film and television productions, he earned a reputation
as an artistic director willing to take risks and able to challenge and motivate actors. The
Stratford Festival of Canada, as well as the Citadel and Neptune theatres, flourished
under his skillful directorship. He also co-founded the Young Neptune Company
travelling troupe, which has reached over 350,000 students across Nova Scotia. His talent
and passion have contributed to the development and strengthening of performing arts
communities across the country.”