In 1953, entrepreneur Tom Patterson and artistic director Tyrone Guthrie transformed Stratford, Ontario, from a small railroad town into the Canadian home of Shakespearean drama. The Stratford Festival attracted international recognition and served as the prototype for dozens of other Canadian festivals including the Montréal Jazz Festival and the Toronto Film Festival. From the opening performance of Richard III, held in a leaky tent, Tom Patterson started a phenomenon that Canadians continue to treasure.

The Stratford Festival ran for six weeks in its opening season. Because of its popularity, the Festival had to lengthen its season. Patterson knew it wouldn't be long before the Shakespearean festival moved out of its canvas tent. By 1963, his dream acquired a permanent home with the purchase of the Avon Theatre in downtown Stratford. Eight years later, the Tom Patterson Theatre opened to host more intimate dramas and to provide training for young actors.

Tom Patterson was one of the first officers of the Order of Canada. His Stratford Festival, which began in a modest tent, became an instant success and now has an acting corps of nearly one hundred. The festival helped train thousands of Canadian actors, including Christopher Plummer and Richard Monette.

Historica Minute Cast

Tom		David MacLean
Guthrie		Peter James Haworth
Alec		Steve Cumyn