Shakespeare wrote that “all the world’s a stage,” and every summer, a corner of that world pays tribute to the great playwright with a festival devoted to his works.
Every June through September, the Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival brings to life the magic of Shakespeare’s great plays. The Festival was established in 1990 with a mandate to provide Vancouver residents and tourists with affordable, accessible Shakespearean productions of the finest quality. A fully professional, not-for-profit theatre company, Bard on the Beach now engages more than 30 actors each season, as well as a team of exceptional directors, designers, and technicians; it is also supported by more than 200 volunteers. The productions consistently receive both critical and audience acclaim and repeatedly play to sold-out houses. More than 90,000 audience members took in the 2015 season.
For the upcoming season, Bard’s hit 2012 production of “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” returns to the BMO Mainstage with all its music, fun and outrageous antics. It plays in repertory with a classic staging of the beloved romantic tragedy, “Romeo and Juliet.” On the Howard Family Stage, Bard presents the powerful tragedy, “Othello,” and Shakespeare’s mythical adventure, “Pericles: Prince of Tyre.”
As well as the plays, Bard on the Beach offers a vibrant, on-site Village where patrons can gather for one full hour before performances begin. With concession services, picnic packages, insightful free talks and the Bard Boutique, there’s always lots to do in the Village.
Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival’s 27th season runs from June 3 to September 24, 2016 in modern theatre tents in Vancouver’s waterfront Vanier Park, adjacent to the downtown core. Tickets for the 2016 season are on sale now. For additional information, visit bardonthebeach.org.
To learn more about Vancouver, visit our website at www.takethreenights.com. For help planning a Shakespearean sojourn to the city in time the festival, drop us a line at [email protected]. To explore and get additional information about all of our dramatic destinations, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!