Christopher Newton

Who is Christopher Newton?

Christopher Newton is a Canadian director and actor and served as Artistic Director of the Shaw Festival from 1980-2002.

Newton was born in England and educated at Sir Roger Manwood's School in Kent, the University of Leeds, Purdue University in Indiana and the University of Illinois, where he earned his M.A. He performed with the Canadian Players, at the Manitoba Theatre Centre, the Vancouver Playhouse and the Stratford Festival, where he played such roles as 'Oberon' in A Midsummer Night's Dream and 'Aramis' in The Three Musketeers. He also appeared on Broadway in Peter Shaffer's The Private Ear.

In 1968, Newton founded Theatre Calgary where he served as Artistic Director until 1971, when he was appointed Artistic Director of Vancouver Playhouse. In 1979, after thrice refusing, he accepted an appointment as Artistic Director of the Shaw Festival. During his tenure, Newton continued the work to expand and enrich the Shaw Festival repertory company.