Shaw Festival Theatre
Shaw Festival Theatre
4.6
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
About
The Shaw Festival – bringing great theatre to life in the heart of Niagara Wine Country. One of the world’s finest theatre companies, the Shaw Festival is celebrated for its vivid and exhilarating productions of plays by Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries (1856-1950), and plays about the period of Shaw’s lifetime. Join us for a compelling theatre experience with plays in four theatres from April to October in historic Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Located between Toronto, ON and Buffalo, NY, near Niagara.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.6
2,363 reviews
Excellent
1,824
Very good
366
Average
83
Poor
37
Terrible
53
Gentleman's Portion
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada553 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
This year the Shaw Festival has pulled out all the stops for its musical contribution to the season. Incredibly, I bought the last two seats that were available together for a sold out Friday night performance. A full house! And no wonder. This was the most joyous, energetic and fulfilling show I’ve seen in years. If you don’t have tickets, get them now. MFL runs until Christmas. A big shout out to co-directors Tim Carroll and Kimberly Rampersad and the entire cast and orchestra. An amazing evening.
Written May 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin B
1 contribution
Jun 2024 • Couples
This was a fantastically funny play, with some really strong performances. Was laughing and enjoying the entire show. Some impressive improv with audience interactions, bringing funny interactions back throughout the entire play. The lead actors were spot one.
Written June 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bucko007
Sudbury, Canada1,157 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
For my 1000th review, this could have not been a more pleasurable experience. The main theatre is beautiful with comfy seats. Acoustics and site lines are very good. We saw 1 Man Two Guvnors. Extremely funny and well acted. Enjoyed the audience participation, the Musical interludes and the off script comments. We must definitely return. What a great value.
Written September 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lee A
Philadelphia, PA706 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
We saw "One Man, Two Guvnors" at the Festival Theatre. It was fantastic. The show included musical numbers--even though it wasn't a musical. We were amazed that the actors not only acted, but sang and played musical instruments so well. It was a great time and attending the Shaw Festival was on my bucket list.
Written July 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DBishop0706
Richmond Hill, Canada96 contributions
Jul 2024 • Friends
Four of us saw My Fair Lady last week and were thoroughly entertained from start to finish. All four of us agreed that the cast, music, costumes and sets were outstanding. A totally enjoyable theatre experience that we highly recommend to you.
Written August 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
westlakeroad
Southwest Gulf Coast, FL324 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Shared our probably-8th-or-10th trip to the Shaw with friends, and saw a continuation of the superb theater that this festival is known to provide. An Agatha Christie, followed by Sherlock Holmes, ending with My Fair Lady in the Festival Theatre. Having seen the 2004 (?) My Fair Lady, we were blown away by this iteration. Everything one could hope for in a musical.
We come from away to NOTL for a refresher in outstanding theater, and the 2024 ensemble and offerings will bring us back, again, next season. Bravo.
We come from away to NOTL for a refresher in outstanding theater, and the 2024 ensemble and offerings will bring us back, again, next season. Bravo.
Written August 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M C
2 contributions
Dec 2024 • Family
We sat through a very poor performance of A Christmas Carol. The puppetry was absurd. Tiny Tim was a puppet in the midst of live actors. His mouth didn’t move and yet he talked. It was bizarre. The costumes were not well done. Scrooge himself looked half dressed. It was all so contrived & silly. I’m sure Dickens was rolling over in his grave.
This follows our attendance of a performance of My Fair Lady in November that was mediocre at best. The evening we attended, the two main characters had understudies perform and they had little to no chemistry.
I love live theatre performances but I am not going to spend $100s on sub-par performances. Shaw needs to up their game before we return.
This follows our attendance of a performance of My Fair Lady in November that was mediocre at best. The evening we attended, the two main characters had understudies perform and they had little to no chemistry.
I love live theatre performances but I am not going to spend $100s on sub-par performances. Shaw needs to up their game before we return.
Written January 5, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sardine2016
Niagara Falls, Canada6 contributions
Aug 2024 • Friends
We saw the Shaw Variety Show in the Spiegeltent...it was a total waste of our time and money.
The talented Shaw actors performed asinine skits and sang silly songs...thank goodness the show lasted only 90 minutes.
It was almost an insult to our intelligence.
Come on Shaw...you can do much better!
The talented Shaw actors performed asinine skits and sang silly songs...thank goodness the show lasted only 90 minutes.
It was almost an insult to our intelligence.
Come on Shaw...you can do much better!
Written August 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin G
Niagara Falls, Canada11 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
We purchased a “Box” at the Spiegeltent” in Niagara on the Lake to see a play called, “The Game of Love and Chance”. The entire experience was great. We arrived early for a cocktail then entered a unique round tent with the stage in the center of the room. Our Box turned out to be a table that, while it did seat 8, was a bit cramped. It did not provide a sight line for all 8 of us as the columns holding the tent up were in the way.
This was the only disappointment of the entire evening as the play was very funny and the actors were spot on. I would recommend it in the future however I would suggest seating only 6 at these Boxes.
This was the only disappointment of the entire evening as the play was very funny and the actors were spot on. I would recommend it in the future however I would suggest seating only 6 at these Boxes.
Written September 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian Lang
Thornhill, Canada3 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
This was a fun, light hearted, improvisational romantic piece. Lots of laughs. New tent structure is quite sophisticated and beautiful. No bad seats. Either on floor near the action or small booths for 4 people very close by. If I was to be a bit critical, there are a few things. Not all the actors were great at improv. Also energy varies amongst the actors. They could have interacted more with the audience to get ideas for dialogue. And at over $90 a ticket, it's a bit pricey for improvisational theatre in an improvised theatre. But if you can afford it, it's a nice way to spend some time in NOTL
Written September 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Where is a good place to stay when visiting the Shaw festival to see plays? Are there some places that are walkable to the theater?
Written March 18, 2024
There are many places near the Shaw. Simply type in your web browser "hotels in Niagara on the Lake" and many will show. The Prince of Wales is exceptional and an easy walk to Shaw theaters. Another is across the road from the Festival Theater -- The Shaw Club Hotel.
Written March 19, 2024
is the front row at shaw festival theatre accessible for someone using a walker?
Written July 16, 2022
What are the food offerings at the Festival Theater? Is it vegetarian friendly?
Written July 30, 2019
Not sure. Eat at one of the many restaurants in Niagara on the Lake instead. Backhouse is a newish one and amazing. Bit of a walk and in a shopping plaza
Written September 8, 2019
What efforts are you undertaking to have ppl turn off their cell phones. ??Both ladykillers and brigadoon had significant disruptions throughout of cell phones ringing.
Written June 29, 2019
Peg B
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada
Who do I contact to volunteer as a greeter at the Shaw.?
Written November 6, 2018
Hi Pegbunce,
Thanks for writing the Shaw Festival and expressing your interest in becoming a volunteer!
Please visit the Shaw Guild website page for volunteer details. We can't post links on Trip Advisor, however if you google "Shaw Guild Volunteer" it will be the first link.
Thank you!
Alyssa
Written November 7, 2018
Is The Magician’s Nephew mainly for kids or would adults enjoy it?
Written April 27, 2018
Yes, adults like it 2. The two adults I took with me to the opening performance cringed when I told them it was based on a kids novel. But My 82 year old Mother loved it. My 41 year-old-lady friend thought it was great. As for myself, my inner child loved it 2! The truths being told are timeless and can be applied at any age. They talk about immaturity in adulthood (for example, the Queen and Uncle Andrew) and the kids in this play (played by young people in their twenties) seem very grown up at times, childish at others. So there is something for everyone in this play as no adult is completely "grown up" as they say (Not necessarily a bad thing! ;-).
Written April 29, 2018
Barbara G
Peterborough, Canada
Is it possible to order Langham Walk t shirts?
Written September 15, 2017
Hey Barbara, we have Lambeth Walk t-shirts available in-person at the Shawp here at the Shaw Festival.
Written October 2, 2017
We apologize that you found the show hard to hear, we will pass along your feedback to the appropriate parties. In future, we do have Assisted Listening Devices available at the theatres for a small fee. Visit our website or call the Box Office to find out more.
Written September 29, 2016
No, we thought the sound was awesome. (I'm a music major, so I do notice things like that!) We were 6 rows from the front and could hear every word, every whisper, every sound!
Written November 11, 2016
Is there any merchandise specific to the show Engaged available for purchase at the theatre or online? Thank you.
Written September 11, 2016
Hi Karen! We don't have any merchandise specific to Engaged in The Shawp this season. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Written September 14, 2016
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