When John Hirsch and Tom Hendry founded the Manitoba Theatre Centre in 1958, their goal was to create great professional theatre with mass appeal. Canada’s first English-language regional theatre, MTC became a model for regional theatres across North America. Both Hirsch and Hendry were passionate about the role of the arts in the community. As Hendry said, "One can endlessly cite statistics to prove employment, economic impact and tourist magnetism. What the arts - given a chance - bring to a city is something in addition to all those material rewards. They give a great city an image of its soul."

Under current Artistic Director Steven Schipper and General Manager Camilla Holland, MTC now presents over 250 performances annually for more than 150,000 theatre-lovers, including six plays at the John Hirsch Mainstage, four plays at the Tom Hendry Warehouse, a regional tour, and the Master Playwright Festival. MTC also produces the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival, North America’s second-largest Fringe. In 2010, the theatre was honoured to receive royal designation from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and officially became the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre.

January 2012 is a busy month at MTC, with shows on both stages and ShawFest 2012, this year’s Master Playwright Festival. The new year kicks off on January 5 at the John Hirsch Mainstage with Shirley Valentine, a heartwarming tale about a neglected housewife who jumps at the chance to escape her “unused life.” The play stars Nicola Cavendish, who has performed as Shirley over 600 times, including an appearance at MTC in 1992.

Over at the Tom Hendry Warehouse, Seana McKenna, another Canadian stage legend, stars in Mrs. Warren’s Profession, opening January 19. Mrs. Warren has worked hard to provide a good life for her daughter but when Vivie finds out the truth about her mother’s profession, sparks fly between the two independent workingwomen in George Bernard Shaw's witty and insightful comedy.

Mrs. Warren’s Profession is part of ShawFest 2012, which starts on January 19 and runs until February 5. The 2012 Master Playwright Festival celebrates the life and work of playwright George Bernard Shaw and includes performances and readings of his plays by a variety of local theatre companies, a film screening, directors’ panels and a free lecture series. On January 18 at 7pm at the Kings Head Pub, the lecture series kicks off with "Introducing GB Shaw- Why Shaw Still Matters" with special guest Leonard Conolly, President of the International Shaw Society. For more information on the festival, visit www.masterplaywright.com.

To find out more about the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and the 2011-12 season, visit www.mtc.mb.ca or call the box office at 204-942-6537.