Tickets went on sale Wednesday (April 9) for the 2025 season of Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, staged at Vanier Park in Vancouver.
Four productions and special events are planned for the festival's 36th season, June 10 to Sept. 20.
Promised is "a blend of comedy, romance, and drama with unique twists, company debuts and new Canadian work."
BMO Mainstage productions are an '80s-themed The Two Gentlemen of Verona, a comedy of love and disguise directed by Dean Paul Gibson, and a traditional Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Johnna Wright with additional text by Erin Shields.
The Verona show sounds fun, judging by , where tickets are sold (or call 604-739-0559).
"This nostalgic visit to the 鈥�80s features a soundtrack of that candy-coloured decade, from unforgettable dance hits to tear-jerking ballads, as it celebrates friendship and the foolhardy ways young love makes us behave," the website hypes.
"Sent to court to learn to be 'perfect gentlemen,' Valentine and Proteus are derailed by their attraction to Silvia, the ruler鈥檚 daughter. Adding to the fun, the role of Crab will be played by an actual dog, the only dog role in the Shakespearean canon."
Meantime, the festival's Douglas Campbell Theatre will host two productions, including the Bard on the Beach debut of global smash-hit comedy The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again], directed by Mark Chavez. Also staged there is new Canadian work The Dark Lady, written by Jessica B. Hill and directed by Moya O鈥機onnell.
Special events this summer include Bard Fireworks Nights, Wine Wednesdays, an annual Bard Pride Day celebration, Bard Club and Bard Explored talks, "relaxed" performances and Talkback Tuesdays.
