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Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival
Bard on the Beach logo
Location Vanier Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Founded 1990
Founded by Christopher Gaze
Artistic director Christopher Gaze
Type of play(s) Primarily Shakespeare
Festival date June - September, Annually

Bard on the Beach is a big and popular Shakespeare festival in Western Canada. It happens every year from early June to September in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The festival's main goal is to offer great Shakespeare plays that everyone can enjoy and afford.

Besides the summer festival, Bard on the Beach also has many programs all year long. These programs teach people about theatre and help actors learn more. In 2019, the festival celebrated its 30th anniversary!

Discovering Bard on the Beach's Story

Bard on the Beach started small in the summer of 1990. It was funded by a special grant given to its Artistic Director, Christopher Gaze. Christopher Gaze moved to Canada after studying theatre. He performed in many plays across Canada, including the Vancouver Shakespeare Festival.

In Vancouver, Christopher Gaze met other actors who loved Shakespeare. In 1989, he directed a play called Under Milk Wood. The next summer, this group put on A Midsummer Night's Dream in a rented tent. This was the first Bard on the Beach show! About 6,000 people came to see it. Because it was so popular, Bard on the Beach became an official non-profit group in December 1990.

Where the Magic Happens: The Festival Site

The Bard on the Beach festival is located in Vanier Park, near the Burrard Street Bridge. It has two main stages where plays are performed: the BMO Mainstage and the Howard Family Stage.

There's also a group of tents called the Bard Village. This village has the ticket office, a gift shop, and places to buy snacks. The festival area also includes dressing rooms for actors, offices for staff, and picnic areas for visitors.

The Main Stage: BMO Mainstage

Bard on the Beach bought its first large tent in 1992. By 2010, they needed a new one. After raising money, they built a special new Mainstage tent. This new tent can seat 742 people and has a new stage design. It also has more comfortable seats with cup holders!

The new tent still has an open back. This means the audience can see the beautiful view of False Creek, the Coast Mountains, and the city skyline behind the stage. The stage is named the "BMO Mainstage" because the Bank of Montreal helped pay for it.

Bard on the Beach usually performs two plays on the BMO Mainstage each season. They also host concerts and opera shows. The stage design is unique because it has to work for both plays performed there.

The Howard Family Stage: A Smaller Theatre

A second, smaller theatre tent was added in 1999 for Bard's 10th anniversary. This tent was designed for less famous Shakespeare plays. It also hosts modern plays that connect to Shakespeare's work. For example, in 2005, they performed Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard.

This theatre is named after Douglas Campbell. He was a good friend and mentor to Christopher Gaze. Douglas Campbell and his son, Torquil Campbell, even performed together at Bard on the Beach.

This smaller theatre seats 240 people. Its setup can be changed easily, like a "black box theatre." The tent was replaced in 2013. In 2014, it was named the "Howard Family Stage" to honor Darlene and Paul Howard, who supported the festival.

Learning with Bard: Education Programs

Bard on the Beach also runs many programs for young people. These programs, called Bard Education, aim to inspire the community. They help people learn about Shakespeare's language, characters, and plays in a fun way.

Bard in the Classroom: Workshops for Students

"Bard in the Classroom" offers workshops led by "Teaching Artists." These are actors and directors trained by Bard. The workshops can be for students aged 4 to 18. Teachers can ask for sessions that introduce Shakespeare's work or focus on a specific play. Students use their voices and bodies to explore Shakespeare's plays.

Young Shakespeareans Workshops: Summer Fun

The "Young Shakespeareans Workshop" program has been offered since 1993. It's for young people aged 8 to 18. The program runs for two-week sessions for "Juniors" (8-13) and "Seniors" (13-18). There's also a one-week intensive program for older teens (15-18).

Since 2014, participants from the "Riotous Youth" program help the Teaching Artists in these workshops.

Riotous Youth: Growing Theatre Skills

The "Riotous Youth" program started in 2014. It's for young theatre fans aged 19 to 24 who have finished the "Young Shakespeareans Workshops." These participants help the Teaching Artists. They also give talks to the audience before shows. They even work with experienced Bard actors to prepare a final performance.

Other Exciting Events at the Festival

Besides the plays, Bard on the Beach hosts several special events throughout the summer:

  • Bard Fireworks
  • Wine Wednesdays
  • Family Days
  • Bard Explored
  • Talkback Tuesdays

Past Productions: A Look Back

Plays from 1990 – 1999

Bard Peak Performances (1995–1998)

From 1995 to 1998, Bard on the Beach had special "Peak Performances." These shows were held on weekend afternoons at the top of Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver.

Plays from 2000 – 2009

Plays from 2010 – 2019

Plays from 2020 – Present

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