Bard on the Beach celebrates its 25th anniversary season in Vanier Park with two of Shakespeare’s best loved productions.
“We are very excited to celebrate our 25 years of bringing Shakespeare to life in Vancouver”, said Bard artistic director Christopher Gaze. “To salute that legacy, we are revisiting two productions that our audiences truly loved. It is our birthday gift to Vancouver as we and the rest of the world celebrate the 450th anniversary year of Shakespeare's birth. I’m proud and confident that it will be a landmark season.”
First, the re-imagining A Midsummer Night's Dream. The beloved comedy was actually presented during Bard’s inaugural season in 1990, and Dean Paul Gibson (Associate Artistic Director, Bard on the Beach) reimagines this Shakespearean classic following his successful 2006 production. Also returning: The magical romance of The Tempest at the hands of director Meg Roe, with a re-imagining of her hugely-popular 2008 production of the play.
On the Douglas Campbell Studio Stage, Bard will present a bold, physical adaptation of Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, performed by a six-actor ensemble and directed by Anita Rochon (Chop Theatre). Alternating with Cymbeline is Equivocation, an entertaining ode to art and politics, written by playwright Bill Cain and directed by the Belfry Theatre (Victoria, BC) artistic director Michael Shamata (a co-production with the Belfry).
There is also an exciting lineup of 25th anniversary special events:
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream – June 11 to September 20 (BMO Mainstage) • Opening Night June 21
- The Tempest – June 12 to September 18 (BMO Mainstage) • Opening Night June 27
- Equivocation – July 2 to September 19 (Studio Stage) • Opening Night July 10
- Cymbeline – July 4 to September 17 (Studio Stage) • Opening Night July 13
- Gazing Back: Reflecting on 25 Years at Bard – July 14 & 28, August 11, September 9 & 12 at 7:30 pm • Join Christopher Gaze as he recalls highlights, hiccups and some well-kept secrets from Bard’s fascinating 25-year history. Each show includes special guests.
- Bard Explored: Lecture Series – Saturdays at 11:30 am and Mondays at 7:30 pm (2 lectures per play; see the website for topics)
- Chor Leoni: Manely #1’s – June 23, 30 @ 3 & 8pm • Pop hits, Broadway show-tunes and more in a musical celebration of the number 1.
- EnChor Choir: In the Gloaming – July 7 @ 7:30pm • A musical salute to summer campfire singalongs, suitable for the whole family.
- Bard-B-Q & Fireworks – July 26 & 30, August 2 @ 4:30pm • Play plus salmon barbecue, post-dinner entertainment & fireworks viewing.
- Celebrating Red & White – August 16 @ 5pm • BC VQA wine tasting between matinee and evening play performances.
- Vancouver Symphony Orchestra: Mozart @ Bard! – July 21 @ 7:30pm • Gordon Gerrard conducts the VSO on the BMO Mainstage.
- Shakespeare’s Opera (Opera & Arias) – August 25, September 1@ 2 & 7:30pm • The UBC Opera Ensemble & members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra present a programme of Shakespeare-inspired opera favourites by Berlioz, Bellini, Gounod, Verdi and more.
- Bard, Beer & Pretzels – September 8 @ 5pm • A sampling of toast-worthy ales in the Bard Village, paired with artisan baked pretzels.
- Fight Night: Academie Duello –September 8 @ 7:30pm • A thrilling night of swords & words, featuring three top fight choreographers.
- Will Shakespeare's ImprovMusical – September 1, 8, 9, 15 & 16 @ 7:30pm • A completely-improvised musical theatre presentation based on the plots and language of William Shakespeare. A 2012 Vancouver Fringe Festival hit.
Bard on the Beach is Western Canada’s largest professional Shakespeare company. The annual summer festival is located in Kitsilano’s seaside Vanier Park, adjacent to Vancouver’s downtown core. The productions are staged in modern open-ended tents on the waterfront against a stunning backdrop of mountains, sea and sky. Play performances run Tuesdays through Sundays with all evening performances starting at 7:30pm. Matinees are presented on selected weekends and weekdays.
Play ticket prices (adults) include all fees & taxes and are $47 (evenings) and $33 to $35 (previews, matinees and long weekend evenings) with a $27 Global BC Youth Rate (6-25 years, all play performances).
The performance schedule and full site and event information can be found at www.bardonthebeach.org. For more information and tickets, call 604-739-0559, (toll free) 1-877-739-0559 or order online.
