This is Anne: Older and Wiser
Date: November 9th 2025, 2pm
Tickets: $25.00 plus taxes and fees
Performers: Maja Bannerman and Rusty McCarthy
Tickets
Performed by Maja Bannerman and Rusty McCarthy
A licensed event and fundraiser for the Stratford Perth Museum
About the Show
Compiled and created from Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beloved Anne book series, This Is Anne: Older and Wiser invites audiences to imagine Anne Shirley Blythe in her sixties, looking back on the extraordinary life that began at Green Gables.
In this moving 55-minute performance, acclaimed actor and performance artist Maja Bannerman brings Anne to life through the decades — from the wonder and whimsy of her youth to the heartbreak and wisdom of her later years.
Accompanying her on stage is Rusty McCarthy, celebrated musician and composer (known for his work on Mary Margaret O’Hara’s Miss America). His live musical score — a blend of original compositions and period melodies — enriches Anne’s journey with warmth, nostalgia, and emotional depth.
Audience Reactions
“Powerful doesn’t begin to describe your performance. The musical accompaniment was wonderful and perfect. I am so thankful I came… Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.”
— Kerri
“Imagine an older Anne reminiscing about her life… With humour, warmth, and deep feeling, Maja, as Anne, recollects highlights from Anne’s life… Members laughed and cried. Lifelong fans of Anne and people who had perhaps never read the books were equally moved. It truly was a five-star show.”
— Janet Hodgkins, President, Wainfleet Historical Society
“Very powerful and touching… Beautiful and sad and thoughtful.”
— Danny
“Loved that it was true to the books. Very sentimental and lovely to watch.”
— Audience Member
“Such a brilliant collaboration… uplifting, touching and gentle. So grateful to have experienced this.”
— Penny
About the Artists
Maja Bannerman
A Canadian writer, singer, and performing artist, Maja is celebrated for her bold, witty, and emotionally resonant performances. A key figure in Toronto’s Queen Street West art scene in the 1980s, she now lives in Niagara, where she continues to craft performances that blend theatre, music, and historical storytelling.
Rusty McCarthy
A gifted guitarist, songwriter, and producer, Rusty McCarthy is known for his soulful sound and extraordinary musical range. His collaborations include work with Mary Margaret O’Hara, among many others, and his original compositions bring a distinct emotional texture to every project.
This show is 55 minutes long.
This is a licensed event and a partnered fundraiser for your museum.