The pandemic claims another victim as Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Shaw Festival has officially cancelled most of its 2020 season.
A statement in the Festival’s newsletter says “based on the province of Ontario’s framework for reopening businesses…and the further extension of the state of emergency, it’s clear that the Shaw Festival is not able to proceed with the season as scheduled.”
As a result, all performances and public events are cancelled through September 15.
The few remaining productions, scheduled after that, are still technically a go in reduced capacity theatres.
Those include “Charley’s Aunt,” “Flush” and “A Christmas Carol.”
The festival says it will announce safety protocols and measures in the coming weeks with guidance from public health and municipal officials, and says it remains optimistic about a shortened fall and or holiday season.