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News Release

September 27, 2006

Actor William Hutt to Speak at U of G

The University of Guelph is hosting a lecture by William Hutt, Canada's leading classical actor, Oct. 4 at 5:30 p.m. in Rozanski Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

Hutt will be discussing his recent donation of personal papers and records to U of G’s L.W. Conolly Theatre Archives. He will also reminisce about his life and career in Canadian theatre.

“The University of Guelph and the Library are thrilled that Mr. Hutt will be on campus speaking about his career, his collection and his life in the theatre,” said chief librarian and chief information officer Michael Ridley. “This time the great actor will play himself.”

Born in 1920 in Toronto, Hutt served in the Second World War and studied at the University of Toronto's Trinity College before landing a role at the Stratford Festival at age 33.

Hutt has performed more Shakespeare than Sir Lawrence Olivier or Christopher Plummer. He retired in 2005 after taking part in 39 seasons at Stratford, stretching back to the festival's inaugural performance in 1953. Hutt has also appeared on stages in London, Toronto and New York.

In addition to his recent gift, Hutt has donated to U of G scripts, reviews and articles, correspondence, essays, photos and personal documents, which make up McLaughlin Library’s William Hutt fonds.

“The L.W. Conolly Theatre Archives is an extraordinary gathering of the diverse materials and resources and the addition of William Hutt's collection extends the Theatre Archive in a wonderful way,” said Ridley. “Hutt is a legend of Canadian theatre. His acting and directing career parallels the evolution of the Canadian stage from fledgling newcomer to world-class professionalism. Through his materials students and scholars will see theatre from a new and very personal perspective.”

Hutt is the honourary patron of the Shakespeare — Made in Canada festival, a series of regional Shakespeare events hosted by U of G, the Stratford Festival, the Guelph Arts Council and the City of Guelph and set to run January to May 2007. Its goal is to create a regional cultural synergy focusing specifically on Canadian interpretations, adaptations and exhibitions of the Bard’s work.