The partnership with Mirvish Productions "is in keeping with the Festival's long-term strategy to reach out to new audiences and new markets," according to a Dec. 14 statement.

Producer David Mirvish stated, "We are excited to be working once again with one of the world's leading classical theatre companies. Over the years at our theatres, we have presented different productions from the Festival. I especially remember Brian Bedford's production of Blithe Spirit and John Neville's Separate Tables, both in the '80s.

"More recently, we have revived productions that had originated at the Festival in previous years — Orpheus Descending and Medea; but these weren't official Festival productions. So it's with great enthusiasm that we launch a new working relationship with the Festival, especially with a production that is so wonderfully realized in every way."

Forum, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Larry Gelbart and Burt Shevelove, "is the story of the Roman slave Pseudolus who yearns for his freedom, while his young master pines for the girl next door. In exchange for his freedom, Pseudolus promises to find a way to unite the two young lovers. Unfortunately, even in musical comedy, the course of true love never does run smooth."

Forum was first produced on Broadway in 1962.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival's 2010 season, beginning on April 10, will feature As You Like It; Kiss Me, Kate; The Tempest; Dangerous Liaisons; Evita; Peter Pan; The Winter's Tale; Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris; For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again; Do Not Go Gentle; The Two Gentlemen of Verona; and King of Thieves.

Mirvish Productions is Canada's largest theatrical producer, presenting an average of 20 shows a year and selling more than two million tickets annually. Founded in 1963, the company now operates four Toronto venues — the Royal Alex, the Princess of Wales, the Canon and the Panasonic