Books in Stratford Festival series

To mark the centenary of Wilde's death, The Stratford Festival of Canada staged this unique production of the original, complete four-act version of his famous play. This does not replace the well-known three-act version, but does give the audience an opportunity to enjoy the play that Wilde originally wrote, with its extra characters, more pointed social commentary, additional scenes and new dialogue. This play remains perhaps Wilde's wittiest and most loved romantic comedy.

This American Civil-War classic centres on the story of Henry Fleming, a young and inexperienced soldier buffeted by panic, fear, and visions of glory, as he faces his first battle (thought to be the Battle of Chancellorsville) of the Civil War. He swaggers to keep up his spirits during the delay that precedes the slaughter, but when his turn comes to join the fight, he flees the field in unthinking terror. Tormented that he has not earned the 'red badge of courage' of the wounded, Henry returns to the fray the next day and fights with bravery.