About this season
Folio, a precursor to CBC's renowned fine-arts series Festival, aired for four years starting in 1956. The series showcased original dramas, music compositions, and ballets, many originating from diverse regions across Canada. Notable episodes featured Barry Morse in a new staging of MacBeth, along with performances by Canadian talents like Robert Goulet and Sharon Acker. One of the highlights included a musical adaptation of the beloved Canadian classic, Anne of Green Gables. Airing without sponsorship, Folio thrived until its conclusion in the fall of 1960. Producers: Robert Allen, Harvey Hart, David Greene, Mario Prizek and Ronald Weyman.
Episodes (30)
1. Macbeth
Aired 25 September 1955
To usurp the throne of Scotland, Macbeth and his wife murder King Duncan.
2. The Black Bonspiel of Wullie McCrimmon
Aired 9 October 1955
3. Take to the Woods
Aired 16 October 1955
4. Betrayal
Aired 23 October 1955
5. A Soviet Portrait
Aired 30 October 1955
6. The Woman Who Came to Stay
Aired 6 November 1955
7. S1.E7 ∙ La Boheme
Aired 13 November 1955
8. The Hand and the Mirror
Aired 20 November 1955
9. Symphony of Movement: Moods and Variations
Aired 27 November 1955
10. Hedda Gabler
Aired 4 December 1955
Trapped in a suffocating marriage to a minor academic, Hedda Gabler is only too keen to meet her former lover, a controversial writer.
11. Double Bill
Aired 11 December 1955
12. S1.E12 ∙ The Philanderer
Aired 18 December 1955
13. The House by the Stable/Grab and Grace
Aired 25 December 1955
14. Edwina Black
Aired 1 January 1956
15. Goodbye, Young Man
Aired 8 January 1956
16. When Soft Voices Die
Aired 15 January 1956
17. The Marriage Of Figaro
Aired 29 January 1956
*Note: Presented as a Special Canadian Production on CBC Folio television on January 29, 1956, at 10 pm. Also on CBC Radio on January 25, 1956, at 7:30 pm.
18. The Lady And The Logger
Aired 5 February 1956
Directed by Norman Campbell
19. Katherine Dunham
Aired 12 February 1956
20. The Medium
Aired 19 February 1956
21. The Public Prosecutor
Aired 26 February 1956
[21] CBC Folio: THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR 26Feb1956 Adapted by Len Peterson Play by Fritz Hochwalder
22. Anne of Green Gables
Aired 11 March 1956
Adapted by Donald Harron Lyrics by James Costigan Music by Norman Campbell a musical dramatization of L.M. Montgomery's 'Anne of Green Gables'. Orchestra and chorus conducted by Gordon Kushner Choreography by Gladys Forrester
23. The Small Rain
Aired 18 March 1956
The story about the impact of a self-confident young man on a group of dissatisfied, neurotic people. Play by Lister Sinclair Cast: Barry Morse Suzanne Finlay Gerald Sarracini Phyllis Stewart Jonathan White ..... Edmond Alene Kamins ........ Eunice Synopsis:
24. [24] CBC Folio: DARLING CORIE
Aired 25 March 1956
folk opera by Elie Siegmeister Chorus and orchestra conducted by Victor Feldbrill Cast: Roma Butler On the same program will be "The Rake's Progress", a study of six etchings by William Hogarth, written by Prof. Stanley Read of the University of British Columbia.
25. [25] CBC Folio: THE HAUNTED POST OFFICE / THE FACE OF CANADA
Aired 15 April 1956
Play by Lister Sinclair Essay "The Face of Canada" by Harry Boyle Directed by Harvey Hart Narrator Harry Boyle (The Face of Canada) Cast: Hugh Webster Ruth Springford David Gardner Norman Etltinger Douglas Rain Eric House
26. [26] CBC Folio: THE TRIAL AT ROUEN
Aired 22 April 1956
Opera by Norman Dello Joio Synopsis: The story centers on Joan of Arc's trial for heresy and witchcraft.
27. [27] CBC Folio: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ERNEST
Aired 29 April 1956
Adapted by John Bethune Play by Oscar Wilde Directed by Andrew Allan Cast: Lloyd Bochner ........ John Worthing Elizabeth Cole ........ Miss Prism Barry Morse ............ Algernon Moncrieff Charmion King ....... Gwendolyn Fairfax Eric House ............. Canon Chasuble Toby Robins ........... Cecily Cardew John Hardinge ........ Merriman Tony Van Bridge ..... Lane
28. [28] CBC Folio: THE TRIAL
Aired 6 May 1956
Written by Franz Kafka Synopsis: Story of a man victimized by circumstances beyond his control.
29. [29] CBC Folio: THE WIDOW OF THE MISSISSAGI
Aired 13 May 1956
Written by Len Peterson Directed by Esse W. Ljungh Cast: Monique Miller ......... Widow John Drainie ........ Pipineau Ed McNamara ........ Jim Fred Diehl ......... Louis Joe Austin ....... Cook Hugh Webster ....... Short Legs Paul Kligman ........... Boris Murray Westgate ......... Red Jon Granik ........ Steve Frank Peddie ....... Cruel Face Jeremy Wilkin ......... Johnson
30. [30] CBC Folio: PIRATES OF PENZANCE
Aired 20 May 1956
(90 min)(final episode of season 1) Produced by Norman Campbell Musical by Gilbert and Sullivan Directed by Godfrey Ridout Cast: Roma Butler Robert Reic