shakespeare festival – Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION.

Bard on the Beach: Twelfth Night

Last Wednesday was the opening of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” at Vancouver’s “Bard on the Beach.”

Charlie Gallant as Sebastian Olivia Hutt as Olivia, Photo by Tim Matheson

I walk my dogs around the area where the tents are assembled and it’s always amazing to see how far they’ve come from having absolutely nothing there to the remarkable display that becomes the epicentre for our Shakespeare festival. It’s nothing short of a hell of a lot of work to put this together; and then you have the gorgeous sets, rehearsals and finally the crowds. Then we know that summer has arrived.

With the very tall premier of British Columbia; **David Eby**. I’m wearing my *“As You Like It*” t-shirt purchased from the Bard Boutique last season (they still have some left).

The boutique offers a lot of fun souveniers.

I must admit that it’s always a bit of a challenge to review Shakespeare. The characters always portray profound insights into the human condition, delving into the complexities of human nature. The plays are infused with poetic language, universal truths and a touch (in some cases more than a touch) of whimsy. The classic play explores themes of love, power, ambition and betrayal. Some resonate with me more than others.

“Twelfth Night” is a comedy filled with mistaken identities, love triangles, and witty wordplay.

The Company of Twelfth Night, Photo by Tim Matheson

Most critics consider it to be one of his greatest comedies, along with “As You Like It,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” My favourite so far has been “As You Like It” but it’s all personal and William Shakespeare is known to be the greatest playwright of all time.

It follows the story of Viola, who disguises herself as a man named Cesario, leading to romantic entanglements and humorous confusion. This play explores themes of love, desire, and self-discovery amidst a backdrop of elaborate schemes and mischievous pranks. It takes place in Illyria; a made up land of misrule. The land is a bright and brilliant carnival of confusion, where music is truly “the food of love.” And as usual, follow along because things happen fast.

Dawn Petten as Malvolia, Photo by Tim Matheson

The execution of this play is very well done and the players (accomplished actors who can sing) are excellent. I’m always impressed by them and their range of talent.

Olivia Hutt as Olivia, Photo by Tim Matheson

Need I say more? I don’t want to ruin the suspense or surprise. And quite frankly, I think you need to see it yourself to really understand what’s going on because there’s a lot going on and I prefer to keep my posts fairly brief and not to give too too much away. Let me know what you think.

For Tickets:

https://bardonthebeach.org/tickets/

Art, Architecture, Culture

Bard on the Beach

This is what I’m talking about…

The tents are up and the shows have begun. We can gather once more as a community with world class theatre in the park. Vancouver welcomes Bard’s 33rd season with three new productions.

I cannot tell you how sad it was walking by the Vanier Park location with my dog for two long summers of darkness. By that I mean no tents to be seen during the pandemic shut down period. But now the Bard is Back and stronger than ever!

I attended the opening night of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” – an appropriate production to start off this beloved Shakespeare Festival as the story is all about love, magic and dreams. With that comes fairies, goblins, misunderstandings, confusion, egos, love gone wrong – and finally made right. Kind of like life itself but with a Shakespearian twist.

Elyza Samson, Carly Street, Polina Olshevska, Kate Besworth & Anna Wang-Albini in the magical fairy woods A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2022
Photo: Tim Matheson

Shakespeare’s comic masterpiece follows four young lovers and a troupe of stumbling actors through enchanted woods, on a journey of discovery to find out who they are, whom they love, and why it matters. Beginning in a world in disrepair, the story moves to the forest, where the natural and supernatural have merged and elves, goblins, and talking trees guide the way.

Heidi Damayo, Emily Dallas, Christopher Allen & Olivia Hutt play a quartet of magically manipulated lovers in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2022
Photo: Tim Matheson

If you like slapstick comedy with a Shakespearean silliness, you’ll love this production. The costumes and sets are outstanding.

Directed by veteran Bard director and actor Scott Bellis (director – The Two Gentlemen of Verona, 2017; Bottom – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2014). Onstage from June 8 – September 24.

Let me know how you like it…

TICKETS:

https://bardonthebeach.org/whats-on/discover-our-2022-season/

Art, Architecture, Culture

The Mood: Midsummer Night’s Dream

Vancouver’s Shakespeare Festival “Bard on the Beach” is back with a 2022 lineup filled with laughter, suspense and excitement.

Why do people refer to Shakespeare as “the Bard?”

Since the word “bard” means poet, we’re essentially calling Shakespeare “the Poet” when we refer to him as “the Bard.” Since centuries upon centuries of poetry enthusiasts concur that he’s one of the greatest poets that has ever lived, it’s only fitting we call him “the Poet.” Thank you Google.

Our Bard Village is where festival goers from home and around the world can enjoy world-class plays, special events from light opera and VSO evenings to wine tastings with food & fireworks. Something that was certainly missed over the past two years. Luckily for me I can walk there in minutes.

I’m looking forward to attending the opening night of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Synopsis:

Shakespeare’s comic masterpiece follows four young lovers and a troupe of stumbling actors through enchanted woods, on a journey of discovery to find out who they are, whom they love, and why it matters. Beginning in a world in disrepair, the story moves to the forest, where the natural and supernatural have merged and elves, goblins, and talking trees guide the way. It’s time again to enter a place of love, laughter and magic!

“I adore this play – it’s full of joy, magic and love. This is my tenth (Dream) production and I can’t wait to see it onstage again!” – Christopher Gaze, Bard Artistic Director

Directed by veteran Bard director and actor Scott Bellis (director – The Two Gentlemen of Verona, 2017; Bottom – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2014). Onstage from June 8 – September 24.

Have you been?

Upcoming Plays:

Harlem Duet: This Governor-General’s Award-winning drama explores the complicated relationship of a Black couple in three key periods in the American Black experience: 1860, before the US Emancipation Proclamation; 1928, during New York’s Harlem Renaissance; and in post-civil rights 1997. Each setting reframes the story of the woman, her deep love for her partner, and her sacrifices – and resilience – in the face of his betrayal. With connections to Othello, Harlem Duet explores important contemporary questions about race, privilege and relationships.

Romeo + Juliet: Shakespeare spins a tragic and timeless story of two young people who fall deeply in love, in spite of a bitter feud that divides their families. Their passion – and Juliet’s courage – never fail to move and inspire us. And today more than ever, the play’s “two households alike in dignity” are a powerful reminder that with love, even the world’s greatest wounds can be healed. This production, in a classical setting, casts new light on Juliet’s experience.

Photos: taken from Bard website

For Tickets:

https://bardonthebeach.org/whats-on/2022-season-