Tickets on Sale April 9 for the 36th Season of Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival

APRIL 8, 2025, VANCOUVER, B.C./ / Traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations – Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival returns to Sen̓áḵw/Vanier Park in Vancouver from June 10 to September 20, 2025 with tickets available on April 9. The festival’s 36th season features a blend of comedy, romance, and drama with unique twists, company debuts and new Canadian work.

“Our 2025 season has something for all tastes,” said Founding Artistic Director Christopher Gaze. “With comedy, romance, and drama, there’s something for everyone, whether a committed Shakespeare fan or a first-time visitor. Our traditional Much Ado About Nothing captures the very essence of summer; Two Gentlemen of Verona revisits and celebrates the ’80s; The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again] delights everyone—Shakespeare lover or not; and The Dark Lady casts Shakespeare in an intriguing new light. From the classic to the cutting edge, our marvellous Canadian theatre talent will bring this season to life with love, laughter, profundity, and joy abounding.”

 

THE PLAYS:
On the BMO Mainstage it’s a new production of Much Ado About Nothing directed by Johnna Wright with additional text by Erin Shields, packed with Shakespeare’s wittiest wordplay, romance, and intrigue. It will play in repertory with Shakespeare’s comedy of love and disguise, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, directed by Dean Paul Gibson and performed with a unique ‘80s twist. Mainstage productions run from June 10 to September 20, 2025.

The Douglas Campbell Theatre will host two productions with the company debut of the global smash-hit The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again], directed by Mark Chavez; and the intriguing new Canadian work The Dark Lady, written by Jessica B. Hill and directed by Moya O’Connell. Douglas Campbell Theatre productions run July 1 to September 20, 2025.

Adds Gaze, “Why not take in one of our many special events as part of your visit? They’re the perfect summer evening at Bard.”

 

BARD ON THE BEACH 2025 SPECIAL EVENTS:

  • The crowd-pleasing Bard Fireworks Nights, where patrons enjoy a performance of Much Ado About Nothing or The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again], followed by a dessert buffet, and guaranteed, spectacular views of the Celebration of Light. Fireworks evenings are July 19 & July 26. New this year: Bring your own picnic supper, preorder from us (for an extra charge), or snack the night away—the choice is yours.
  • Wine enthusiasts can enjoy an upgraded show experience with the addition of Wine Wednesdays before one of three performances throughout the season. Join us on July 2, August 13 or September 10 for the exclusive pre-show wine tastings before the show.
  • Join us for our annual Bard Pride Day celebration where celebrations begin before the show with activities and special guests on June 28 at 5:30pm.
  • Two matinee performances are designated Family Days, encouraging a new generation of young theatre patrons to discover Shakespeare and the Sen̓áḵw/Vanier Park festival experience. Special pricing and kids’ activities are in effect July 13 & August 17 at 2pm.
  • Celebrate your love of all things Shakespeare and make new friends at Bard Club. Come early to select matinee performances and join like-minded people for a pre-show talk and lively discussion at intermission. Patrons can RSVP for free by adding Bard Club to their ticket on July 16, August 2, August 6 and August 27.
  • Patrons seeking a less structured experience are invited to join us for a Relaxed Performance of Much Ado About Nothing. June 29 at 2pm. This performance is also “Pay What You Will”.
  • Those seeking a deeper dive into the world of Shakespeare can attend a Bard Explored talk with Simon Fraser University’s Paul Budra on June 28, July 5, August 9 & August 16 in the BMO Mainstage.
  • Discover more about Bard’s play from cast during Talkback Tuesdays in July and August, where performers will take part in free post-show discussions.
  • Every performance, audiences are invited to In A Nutshell, free pre-show talks providing short, informal introductions to the plays’ stories and characters.

 

The full season schedule is on the Bard on the Beach website. Tickets for the 36th season go on sale April 9, 2025 on the Bard website or from Bard’s Box Office at 604-739-0559.

Bard on the Beach gratefully acknowledges the corporate sponsors and donors who support and sustain the Festival and its programs. Sponsors include BMO Financial Group (BMO Mainstage) along with Production Sponsors Lawson Lundell LLP (Much Ado About Nothing), Odlum Brown (The Two Gentlemen of Verona), Polygon Homes (The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again]), and Production Supporter the Jarislowsky Foundation (The Dark Lady). Season Media Sponsors include the Vancouver Sun and Global BC, as well as many other valued sponsors and partners. Bard also thanks the City of Vancouver Cultural Services Department, the Vancouver Park Board, the Province of British Columbia, the BC Arts Council, Canadian Heritage, and the Canada Council for the Arts for their continuing support.

 

About Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival

Bard on the Beach is one of Canada’s largest not-for-profit, professional Shakespeare festivals. Established in 1990, Bard’s mission is to create transformational experiences through exceptional theatre, training and education opportunities that inspire, resonate, and promote the exchange of ideas. As well as its annual summer Festival, Bard offers year-round education and training programs for youth, adults and theatre professionals in its administrative home at the BMO Theatre Centre in Olympic Village as well as in schools and community facilities throughout the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.

 

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A selection of photographs for media use is available on the Bard website.

Please contact Cynnamon Schreinert for password access or interviews.
Tel: 604-802-2733; email: [email protected]