Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival confirms its 2024 return to Sená?w/Vanier Park from June 11 to September 21. The festival’s 35th season features a blend of comedy, romance, tragedy, and farce, along with a summer of special events — there’s something for everyone!
“We’re very excited about our 2024 Season,” said Founding Artistic Director Christopher Gaze. “With comedy, music, romance, and drama, there’s something for everyone, whether they’re a committed Shakespeare fan or have never been to the theatre before. We’re so thrilled to work with some of Canada’s finest theatre creators to present a unique and diverse season that will make you laugh, make you think, and move you deeply – all in equal parts.”
The 2024 Bard On The Beach Season Plays includes:
BMO Mainstage: playing in repertory
June 11 to September 21, 2024: Twelfth Night
June 13 to September 20, 2024: Hamlet
The season begins with a new production of Twelfth Night. Director Diana Donnelly celebrates a topsy-turvy carnival world packed with romance and laughs, adventure, and self-discovery, set to original music by beloved Vancouver singer-songwriter Veda Hille.
Shakespeare’s classic tale of vengeance, love, and loss, Hamlet is adapted and directed by Stephen Drover. Shifting to a contemporary setting follow the blurry lines around loyalty, self, and all the things that are in heaven and earth.
The Howard Family Stage: playing in repertory
July 2 to September 21, 2024: The Comedy of Errors
July 4 to September 20, 2024: Measure for Measure
Directed and adapted by Rebecca Northan (Goblin:Macbeth), The Comedy of Errors takes its laughs seriously—deadly seriously. Wear your best bedsheet as a toga to this hilarious slapstick saga of mistaken identity and marital strife.
Jivesh Parasram’s footloose adaptation of Measure for Measure, set in a contemporary Vienna where the party never stops—until now. Shakespeare’s tale of coercion and hypocrisy reaches absurdist new heights as premarital… dancing is outlawed.
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.”
The 2024 Bard on the Beach Special Events include:
July 20, 24 & 27, 2024: Bard Fireworks Nights.
On these audience-favourite evenings patrons enjoy a performance of Twelfth Night or The Comedy of Errors followed by a dessert buffet, and guaranteed, spectacular views of the Celebration of Light. New for 2024, Bring Your Own Picnic supper, preorder from Emelle’s Catering (for an extra charge), or curate your own picnic snacks from the Bard concession where a selection of snacks, wine, cider, beer and non-alcoholic beverages are available.
June 26, July 10 & August 14: Wine Wednesdays
Wine enthusiasts enjoy Wine Wednesdays before one of three performances throughout the season.
July 14 & August 18: Family Days
Two Family Day-designated matinee performances find special pricing and kids’ activities, encouraging a new generation of young theatre patrons to discover Shakespeare and the Sen?á?w/Vanier Park festival experience.
August 4: Bard Pride Day
For the second year, Bard Pride Day includes early site access for special activities to celebrate Pride with the Bard Family
June 30 at 2pm: Relaxed Performance
Patrons seeking a less structured experience are invited to join us for a relaxed matinee performance of Twelfth Night. This performance is also “Pay What You Will”.
June 29, July 6, August 10 & August 17: Bard Explored
Those seeking a deeper dive into the world of Shakespeare can attend a talk with Simon Fraser University’s Paul Budra.
July & August: Talk Back Tuesdays
Discover more about Bard’s play from cast during Talkback Tuesdays, where performers will take part in free post-show discussions.
Every performance, In A Nutshell,
Audiences are invited to a free pre-show talk before every show providing short, informal introductions to the plays’ stories and characters.
Visit bardonthebeach.org for more show details and the full season schedule. Tickets for the 35th season are on sale now online or from Bard’s Box Office at 604-739-0559.