Bard on the Beach

Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival
Location(s) Vanier Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Artistic director Christopher Gaze
Foundation 1990
Founded by Christopher Gaze
Date(s) June - September, Annually
Type of play(s) Primarily Shakespeare
Website
www.bardonthebeach.org

Bard on the Beach is Western Canada's largest professional Shakespeare festival. The theatre Festival runs annually from early June through September in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The Festival is produced by Bard on the Beach Theatre Society whose mission is to perform, explore and celebrate the works of William Shakespeare. In addition to the annual summer festival, the Society runs a number of year-round theatre education and outreach programs under the umbrella of Bard Education. Bard on the Beach celebrated its 25th anniversary season in 2014.[1]

History

Bard on the Beach began as an Equity Co-op in the summer of 1990,[2] funded primarily by an Explorations Grant awarded to Artistic Director Christopher Gaze by the Canada Council for the Arts. Following his graduation from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Gaze had moved to Canada on the advice of his friend, mentor and theatre legend Douglas Campbell. After performing with a variety of theatre companies and festivals across Canada, including three seasons with the Shaw Festival, Gaze moved to Vancouver in 1983 where he performed as Richard III in the 1984 season of the now defunct Vancouver Shakespeare Festival.[3]

While in Vancouver, Gaze became acquainted with a group of actors and fellow Shakespeare lovers when he was asked to direct a production of Under Milk Wood for the 1989 Vancouver Fringe Festival. The following summer, this same group staged A Midsummer Night’s Dream in a rented theatre tent in Vanier Park as the inaugural Bard on the Beach production. The company's initial four-week run drew a total of 6,000 people and signaled the need for a more formal company structure. Bard on the Beach officially registered as a not-for-profit under the Society Act of BC in December, 1990.[4]

The Site

Bard is located in Vanier Park at the south end of the Burrard Street Bridge. It consists of two performance stages: the BMO Mainstage and the Howard Family Stage. There is also a group of tents known as the Bard Village which contains the box office, Bard Boutique gift shop, and concession stands. The festival grounds also contain dressing rooms, administrative offices for seasonal staff and a Hospitality Marquee along with two large picnic lawns and portable washrooms for patrons.

BMO Mainstage

Bard purchased its first 500-seat saddlespan tent in 1992. By the end of the 2010 season, the Mainstage theatre tent was in need of replacement and, following the "Staging our Future" capital campaign, the Festival built a custom-designed Mainstage theatre tent. The new tent expanded the seating capacity to 742 seats and included a redesigned stage. The theatre tent also came with more comfortable seating for patrons including cup holders for drinks purchased from the concession stands. The new tent maintains an open-backed design and Bard's signature backdrop: False Creek; the Coast Mountains; and city skyline. The physical playing space within the theatre was named after the Bank of Montreal in recognition of their lead contribution to the Festival's capital campaign.

Bard on the Beach typically stages two productions in repertory on the BMO Mainstage in each season, alongside a selection of choral, symphony and opera presentations. The set presents a unique challenge and opportunity for set designers from year to year as it must incorporate elements which can be shared by both productions during season.

Howard Family Stage and the Douglas Campbell Theatre tent

The Douglas Campbell Theatre tent was added in 1999 as part of Bard's 10th anniversary season as an intimate space for the staging of Shakespeare's lesser-known works or for more modern, innovative stagings of the established canon. Beginning in 2005 with a production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard, the theatre tent has also served as a space for productions of plays which, while not by Shakespeare, serve to examine the context of his work.

The theatre is named for the Canadian stage actor Douglas Campbell. Campbell was a good friend and mentor to Christopher Gaze and had either performed in, or directed, plays in Bard's earlier seasons. Campbell and his son Torquil Campbell also performed together in productions of Henry IV, Part I and Macbeth at Bard on the Beach.

This smaller theatre tent seats 240 people and its adaptable layout and seating configuration are similar to that of a black box theatre. The tent structure was replaced at the beginning of the 2013 season as part of the "Staging our Future" capital campaign.

In 2014 the playing space was named the "Howard Family Stage" in honour of Vancouver philanthropists Darlene and Paul Howard.

Bard Education

In addition to operating the Festival, the Bard on the Beach Theatre Society operates a host of youth-oriented outreach programs under the umbrella of Bard Education. Collectively, the programs endeavour to inspire the community through dynamic, engaging experiences with the language, characters and plays of William Shakespeare.[5]

Bard in the Classroom

Bard in the Classroom workshops are delivered by Teaching Artists - actors, directors and other theatre practitioners trained by Bard to facilitate workshops for young people. The in-class workshops can be adapted for all age groups have been delivered for students between the ages of 4 and 18. Teachers can request 90-minute sessions focusing on introductions to Shakespeare's work as a whole or focus on a specific play, scene or set of characters. Participants mix voice and language work with active theatre exercises to explore Shakespeare's work in a performance context.

Young Shakespeareans Workshops

The Young Shakespeareans Workshop program has been offered each season on the grounds of Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival for youth aged 8 through 18 since 1993.[6] The program runs between 15 and 17 two-week sessions for "Juniors" aged 8 to 13 and "Seniors" aged 13 to 18. There is also a one-week intensive theatre training program offered for youth aged 15 through 18.

As of the 2014 season, Young Shakespeareans Workshops Teaching Artists are also assisted by participants in the Riotous Youth apprenticeship program.

Bard Unbound

Unlike Bard Education's other programs, Bard Unbound focuses on adult learners and teachers of English and/or theatre programs. Like the Bard in the Classroom workshops, Bard Unbound focuses on introducing participants to Shakespeare through active theatre exercises however, the program is more focused on teacher training than those programs oriented for students and youth.

Riotous Youth

Conceived as a kind of "graduate" counterpart to the Young Shakespeareans Workshops, the Riotous Youth theatre apprenticeship program was launched in 2014 to provide an opportunity to bridge the learning of young theatre enthusiasts whom had aged out of the workshop program. Participants aged 19 through 24 take an active role in assisting Young Shakespeareans Workshops Teaching Artists, deliver pre-show introductory talks to the audience and work with a veteran Bard company actor to prepare a final presentation at the end of the season. The Riotous Youth also participate in a variety of other programs throughout the Bard season including the Bard-B-Q & Fireworks and off-site presentations.

Other events

In addition to the four plays, there are a number of events throughout the summer:

Productions

1990-1999

1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999

Bard Peak Performances (1995 - 1998)

From 1995 to 1998, bard added a short series of Peak Performances to the Festival's season. A selection of weekend matinee performances were presented at the peak of Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver.

2000-2009

2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009

2010 - Present

2010
2011
2012
2013 [8][9]

References

  1. ↑ Ward, Roanne. "About the Festival". Bardonthebeach.org. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  2. ↑ St.Denis, Jen. "Christopher Gaze: The Bard sell". Business in Vancouver. Business in Vancouver. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  3. ↑ Smith, Janet. "Bard on the Beach Celebrates 25 years". Straight.com. The Georgia Straight. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  4. ↑ Wright, Katey; Palmer, Morgan. "Bard on the Beach". Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  5. ↑ Hartman, Mary. "About Bard Education". About Bard Education. Archived from the original on 21 August 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  6. ↑ Stack, Mike. "2011 Young Shakespeareans Workshops video". YouTube. bardonthebeachfest. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  7. ↑ Gaze, Christopher. "Archives Interview".
  8. ↑ "SHAKESPEARE, SAND AND SUN IN VANCOUVER: BARD ON THE BEACH 2013 PREVIEW". Inside Vancouver. 2013-05-14. Retrieved 2016-09-07.
  9. ↑ "Vancouver's Bard on the Beach announces 2013 season". CBC News. 2012-09-24. Retrieved 2016-09-07.
  10. ↑ Thomas, Colin (2013-07-02). "Bard on the Beach's Hamlet is breathtakingly fresh". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved 2016-09-07.
  11. ↑ Lederman, Marsha (2013-07-09). "A superb Hamlet for modern times on show at Bard on the Beach". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2016-09-07.
  12. ↑ Leiren-Young, Mark (2013-06-30). "Theatre Review: Electric Company founders deliver electrifying Hamlet". Financial Post. Retrieved 2016-09-07.
  13. ↑ Thomas, Colin (2013-06-27). "Bard on the Beach's Twelfth Night is heavy on concept". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved 2016-09-07.
  14. ↑ Ledingham, Jo (2013-07-02). "Theatre review: Young steals show in Twelfth Night". Vancouver Courier. Retrieved 2016-09-07.
  15. ↑ Oliver, Kathleen (2013-07-12). "Measure for Measure doesn't add up to a satisfying whole". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved 2016-09-07.
  16. ↑ Ledingham, Jo (2013-07-16). "Theatre review: Measure for Measure reaches new heights thanks to double threat". Vancouver Courier. Retrieved 2016-09-07.
  17. ↑ Thomas, Colin (2013-07-15). "A strong ensemble cast buoys Bard on the Beach's Elizabeth Rex". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved 2016-09-07.
  18. ↑ Ledingham, Jo (2013-07-23). "Theatre review: Wheeler at top of her game in Elizabeth Rex". Vancouver Courier. Retrieved 2016-09-07.
  19. ↑ Lederman, Marsha (2013-07-15). "Elizabeth Rex sinks its teeth into Vancouver's Bard on the Beach". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2016-09-07.
  20. ↑ "Bard on the Beach Announces 25th Anniversary Season Playbill & 2013 Attendance". Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. 2013-09-18. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
  21. ↑ "Bard 25th Anniversary Details – Tickets on Sale". Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. 2014-03-26. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
  22. ↑ "A Midsummer Night's Dream Opens Bard on the Beach's 25th Anniversary Season". Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. 2014-05-01. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
  23. ↑ "The Tempest Joins 25th Anniversary Season At Bard". Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. 2014-05-16. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
  24. ↑ "EQUIVOCATION by Bill Cain opens 2014 Howard Family Stage season at Bard on the Beach". Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. 2014-05-28. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
  25. ↑ "The Howard Family Stage welcomes CYMBELINE to the 2014 Bard on the Beach season". Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. 2014-06-13. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
  26. ↑ "BARD ON THE BEACH ANNOUNCES RECORD-BREAKING 2014 ATTENDANCE & 2015 SEASON PLAYBILL". Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. 2014-09-21. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
  27. ↑ "BARD ON THE BEACH SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL'S 26th SEASON IS HERE". Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. 2015-04-07. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
  28. ↑ "THE COMEDY OF ERRORS OPENS BARD ON THE BEACH'S 26TH SEASON". Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. 2015-05-21. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
  29. ↑ "KING LEAR JOINS THE 26TH SEASON OF BARD ON THE BEACH ON THE BMO MAINSTAGE". Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. 2015-06-01. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
  30. ↑ "LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST OPENS THE HOWARD FAMILY STAGE FOR BARD ON THE BEACH'S 26TH SEASON". Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. 2015-06-01. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
  31. ↑ "WORLD PREMIERE OF SHAKESPEARE'S REBEL ON BARD ON THE BEACH'S HOWARD FAMILY STAGE". Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. 2015-06-16. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
  32. ↑ "Bard on the Beach Announces 2016 Playbill & celebrates 2015 Season Highlights". Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. 2015-09-27. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  33. ↑ "BARD ON THE BEACH SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL'S 27th SEASON – TICKETS ON SALE APRIL 6". Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. 2016-04-05. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  34. ↑ Smith, Janet (2016-06-01). "Bard is back on the beach with an alluring program". The Georgia Straight. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  35. ↑ Korstrom, Glen (2016-05-27). "Bard on the Beach launches 27th season on secure financial footing". Retrieved 2016-09-02. Four plays are slated for this year. The Merry Wives of Windsor and Romeo and Juliet rotate at the festival’s 740-seat BMO Main Stage while Othello and Pericles rotate at the 250-seat Howard Family Stage in the Douglas Campbell Theatre.
  36. ↑ Paterson, Brian (2016-06-09). "Bard on the Beach marks a milestone". Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  37. ↑ "THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR JOINS THE 27TH SEASON OF BARD ON THE BEACH". Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. 2016-05-30. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  38. ↑ 2016 The Merry Wives of Windsor Trailer. YouTube. 2016-06-27. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  39. ↑ Thomas, Colin (2016-06-26). "Bard on the Beach's merry wives charm audience while teasing Falstaff in an Ontario bar". The Georgia Straight. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  40. ↑ Thorkelson, Erika (2016-06-26). "Theatre review: The Merry Wives of Windsor gets a new life". The Vancouver Sun. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  41. ↑ Ledingham, Jo (2016-07-10). "Bard on the Beach has a hoot with Merry Wives of Windsor... Ontario". Vancouver Courier. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  42. ↑ D’Ambrosio, Mac (2016). "REVIEW: The Merry Wives of Windsor". showbill.ca. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  43. ↑ "ROMEO AND JULIET LAUNCHES THE 27TH SEASON OF BARD ON THE BEACH". Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. 2016-05-06. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  44. ↑ 2016 Romeo and Juliet Trailer. YouTube. 2016-06-13. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  45. ↑ "OTHELLO JOINS THE 27TH SEASON OF BARD ON THE BEACH". Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. 2016-05-30. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  46. ↑ 2016 Othello Trailer. YouTube. 2016-07-08. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  47. ↑ "PERICLES JOINS THE 27TH SEASON OF BARD ON THE BEACH". Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. 2016-06-24. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  48. ↑ 2016 Pericles Trailer. YouTube. 2016-07-08. Retrieved 2016-09-02.

External links

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