Category General

Shakespeare’s plays can be seen performed around the world, and there are so many different interpretations of his work – that’s part of what makes his plays so enjoyable! At Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival we’ve been known to have some new interpretations of our own, and this season, Scott Bellis will be directing a reimagining* of his successful production of The Comedy of Errors done in steampunk style. What is steampunk, you ask?

With Valentine’s Day approaching, we’re starting to feel the love in the air (and we may have already indulged in the chocolate that comes along with it). This rainy weather has us daydreaming about the summer months and the thrill of a new season at Bard on the Beach. From experience, we know that a trip to a tent in the park can be the perfect opportunity for romance.

Here are eight reasons to bring that special someone to Bard…

Even though the festival runs during the summer months, the preparation for a season begins as soon as one ends. Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival admin staff are on duty year round, piecing together every part of what makes an enjoyable summer for our patrons, new and experienced!

It’s been another fun season in the Bard Box Office! Here are some of the err… interesting things that were overheard.

Patron: “I have tried buying tickets online but can’t seem to book in dates. That’s nothing unusual as I have been known to order a hamster on line before when I really wanted a hamper!”

Patron: “I think the internet is broken.”
Box Office: “Which browser are you using?”
Patron: “Desktop.”

For her final assignment we sent UBC co-op student Shannon Hogan down to the Festival to interview actor John Voth to find more about his ‘amazing summer’ debuting at Bard. Here is their interview!

Shannon Hogan: So this is your first season at Bard on the Beach. Is it what you expected?

It’s been over two months since a dramatic storm blew into Vancouver causing a shipwreck on the shores of Vanier Park. We sent our roving island reporter Tempestuous Tracey to interview two of the survivors, party dames Trincula and Stephana, to see how they’ve been occupying their time on the island.

Tempestuous Tracey: Hey ladies!

Trincula: Hello!

Stephana: Hello, Hi!

Ok, so we are not suddenly changing from Shakespeare plays to musicals but we are having a limited, three show run of the HILARIOUS Will Shakespeare’s ImprovMusical and we can’t wait! We caught up with show creator Alan Marriott to find out how they pull together a completely improvised show every night. 

How did the Will Shakespeare’s ImprovMusical come about?

by Dean Paul Gibson, Bard’s Associate Artistic Director

Do you have someone in your life who inspired you to follow your passions? Adele Noronha, who is making her Bard acting debut this season in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Tempest, did. We asked Adele to share her story with us…

Back in April, Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival contacted us about a couple from Vancouver who were traveling over to complete the Shakespeare canon by seeing The Two Noble Kinsmen.