Tagged Bard on the Beach

Every summer Bard is delighted to team up with the talented folks at UBC Opera for some spellbinding thrills and trills. We caught up with UBC Opera Ensemble’s Director, Nancy Hermiston to find out more about her love of opera, special guest stars and the hard work it takes to become a great opera singer.

The fabulous Colleen Wheeler, in her 12th season at Bard this summer, is thrilling audiences in her colossal role: Queen Elizabeth I in Elizabeth Rex. We caught up with Colleen to hear about her experience at Bard and what she likes to do in her time off.

Tell us something about you people don’t know.

At Bard, we aim to entertain! But did you know that you also entertain us? Since April, our Box Office superstars have been taking note of some of the witty, obscure and hilarious things our patrons say when they email or call in. Here are 13 of our favourites so far. Enjoy!

You’re in Athens, Greece circa 487 BC, where you and thousands of other citizens journey to a magnificent amphitheatre to celebrate Dionysus: the God of the grape harvest, wine-making and wine.  The theatre festival is free although seating is determined by your social standing. The play you’re watching is not as good as you’d hoped so what do you do? Pick up a stone, food or any nearby object and hurl it the stage! Oh, and feel free to boo and hiss – it’s totally encouraged if the performance is sub-par!

During the day at Bard on the Beach there is a presence that takes over the entire Vanier Park site. Mostly it moves in packs and sometimes alone, with an insatiable hunger for all things Shakespearean. This presence is commonly known as “The Young Shakespearean.” Over the last 19 years, Bard has seen over 2000 Young Shakespeareans walk through our gates and come out the other side as changed individuals. A now 14-year-old Marlee Spicer gave us her account of what it’s like to take part in our annual summer workshops. 

This is it, we’ve offically opened both stages! 

Bring your family down to Vanier Park for a day of music, history, science, and art – with performances at all venues by Vancouver Academy of Music students. Plus, enjoy local food vendors and enter to win memberships and other great prizes.

Join us in 2013 on Saturday, January 26.