Christopher Newton was born in 1936 in Deal, England. He attended university in the U.K. and U.S., graduating from the University of Illinois with an MA (1960). He began acting in Canada with the Canadian Players and Stratford Festival in the early 1960s, then directed at Theatre Calgary and the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company before being invited to be artistic director of the Shaw Festival. Between 1980 and 2002 he developed the Festival's international affiliations, created and encouraged its ensemble of creators, and directed such productions as Pygmalion and Candida. Newton is a member of the Order of Canada and continues to act and direct on a freelance basis.
From the description of Programs, photographs, slides, scripts, correspondence and other documents relating to Christopher Newton's association with Theatre Calgary (1968-1973), the Playhouse Theatre Centre of British Columbia (1972-1977) and the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company (1977-1980). 1968- 1980. (University of Guelph). WorldCat record id: 626941103
