Bard on the Beach was named the former Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival new charitable beneficiary on Tuesday (Sept. 25).
The newly christened Vancouver International Wine Festival, established as a fundraiser for the now defunct Playhouse nearly 35 years ago, will now be pouring its money into the long-running local Shakespearean troupe instead.
"The choice of a new charity to support was an important decision for the Wine Festival," said wine festival board chair Randy Kaardal in a prepared statement.
"Bard on the Beach had a long association with the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company, it is an important cultural event in the city and the festive atmosphere it engenders makes it a great charitable partner."
Bard on the Beach's artistic director Christopher Gaze no doubt raised a glass to the news. "The current transformation that we are undergoing at Bard will be greatly assisted by the generous support of [the] Wine Festival," he added in the same release.
"We shall thrive together." The announcement of support continues the 22-year-old Shakespeare company's long-term relationship with the Vancouver Playhouse, from whom they often rented rehearsal halls, props, and costumes and hired many of the same actors and production workers.
The Vancouver Playhouse closed up shop in March after 49 years due to crippling financial difficulties.
The next wine festival is scheduled to take place February 25 to March 3, 2013. Tickets to selected events go on sale November 1.
