FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS Begins Previews for Shaw Festival

French Without Tears, Terence Rattigan's comedy and one of the longest running plays in British theatre history, makes its debut at the Shaw Festival. Described as a "delightful comedy concerning lessons in love, language and the opposite sex, begins previews today at the Royal George Theatre, and shows just how much fun learning French can be!"

Kate Lynch directs The Shaw's production of Rattigan's breezy tale about unrequited passion and l'amour en français, set in a language school in a French coastal villa. Here, privileged young men who have been sent to work on their French language skills, find the mysteries of grammar and pronunciation no match for the greater allure of romance and the women who surround them. As the girl who overflows with joie de vivre, Diana Lake is the personification of delightful distraction - she just cannot resist playing with the hearts of all who set eyes upon her!

Helmed by veteran actor Michael Ball as Monsieur Maingot, this theatrical gem features many of The Shaw's talented young Ensemble members: Martin Happer as Lieutenant-Commander Rogers, Julie Martell as Jacqueline Maingot, Ben Sanders as Honourable Alan Howard, Robin Evan Willis as Diana Lake, Wade Bogert-O'Brien as Kit Neilan, Saccha Dennis as Marianne, Billy Lake as Kenneth Lake, Craig Pike as Brian Curtis, along with Dylan Rumsey.

French Without Tears is designed by William Schmuck, with lighting design by Kirsten Watt and original music by Wayne Gwillim. The stage management team includes Stage Manager Allan Teichman and Assistant Stage Manager Leigh McClymont.

French Without Tears begins preview performances Friday, May 11, opens Saturday, May 26 and plays in repertory until Saturday, September 15.

The Shaw Festival's 2012 season began April 10, 2012, runs until October 28, 2012 and proudly features 11 productions presented on the Festival's four Niagara-on-the-Lake stages. For more information on our 2012 season, performance schedule and ticket information, please visit www.shawfest.com.

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