Perennial Bernard Shaw favourite Candida starts previews Saturday at the Royal George Theatre. Severn Thompson directs an updated version of this classic love triangle, eliciting intriguing and delightful performances at every turn.

Candida (Sochi Fried) is happily married to the modernist Reverend James Morell (Sanjay Talwar), but finds herself curiously intrigued by penniless poet, Eugene Marchbanks (Johnathan Sousa). Marchbanks, a guest of the Morells, is smitten with Candida and resolves to free her from the apparent tedium of her seemingly conventional marriage. Candida, a classic free-thinking Shaw heroine, must decide what she wants more: a life of comfortable stability with her loving husband, or a passionate affair with a dashing young poet.

Candida also features Damien Atkins, Claire Jullien and Ric Reid.

This Shaw Festival production features historically inspired set design by Michelle Tracey, inventive costume design by Ming Wong, evocative lighting design by Louise Guinand and intriguing sound design by Thomas Ryder Payne. The production team includes stage manager Leigh McClymont and assistant stage manager Ferne Hudson.

On stage at the Royal George Theatre (85 Queen Street) from July 13 to October 11, Candida is recommended for audience members 14+/Grade 9+. Running time is approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, including one intermission.

The Shaw Festival’s 2024 season runs through to December 22, with a playbill featuring Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady, One Man, Two Guvnors, Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of the Human Heart, Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution, The Secret Garden, The Orphan of Chao, Candida, The House That Will Not Stand, Snow in Midsummer and A Christmas Carol. The Spiegeltent’s season features The Shaw Variety Show, The Roll of Shaw, Kabarett, Cotton Club, Coffee Concerts, Footlights, Speakeasies, What’s In Your Songbook and Gospel Choir.

Visit www.shawfest.com.