‘Shaken’ theatre company puts on first show since harassment lawsuits

TORONTO — The show will go on at scandal-hit, Toronto-based Soulpepper Theatre Company.

On Saturday, just over a week after four actors filed separate lawsuits against the company and founding artistic director Albert Schultz, the theatre will start running its next production, American playwright Edward Albee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning A Delicate Balance.

“Soulpepper Theatre Company is determined to emerge a stronger organization that serves as a home for art and artists in Toronto,” the company said Thursday in a statement signed by dozens of artists.

“This past week has deeply shaken our community. We are not naïve to the challenges we face. We know there is much for us to reconcile. But we want you to know that hundreds of artists, administrators, staff, creators and supporters believe in this company.”

The Schultz scandal has posed a conundrum for patrons and artists alike, who must decide whether to support a production at Soulpepper as the company further investigates sexualharassment claims.

The lawsuits — filed by Diana Bentley, Kristin Booth, Patricia Fagan and Hannah Miller — allege that Schultz groped them, exposed himself, pressed against them or otherwise behaved inappropriately.

None of their allegations have been tested in court and neither Schultz nor Soulpepper have filed a statement of defence. Schultz said he will “vigorously defend” himself against the allegations.

Some patrons plan to boycott Soulpepper until it overhauls its board of directors, while others feel more comfortable attending a show now that Schultz has resigned and an upcoming production of Amadeus that he was slated to direct has been cancelled.

Alan Dilworth is now acting artistic director.