VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - March 21, 2012) - Bard on the Beach, Vancouver's signature summer festival, returns to Vanier Park for its 23rd season from May 31 to September 22, 2012. Bard's 2012 season launches with two productions on the BMO Mainstage. First up is the lively romantic comedy THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, directed by Meg Roe. Playing in repertory with The Taming of the Shrew is the dark, powerful drama MACBETH, directed by Miles Potter. The BMO Mainstage is located in the 742-seat Mainstage Theatre tent.
In the intimate 240-seat Douglas Campbell Studio Stage tent, Johnna Wright directs THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, set in 1968 Windsor, Ontario, while Bard Associate Artistic Director Dean Paul Gibson helms a rare production of the medieval tale KING JOHN, presented in repertory with Merry Wives.
Tickets are now on sale. Run dates and Special Events are as follows:
- The Taming of the Shrew - May 31 to September 22 (BMO Mainstage)
- Macbeth - June 13 to September 20 (BMO Mainstage)
- The Merry Wives of Windsor - June 28 to September 21 (Studio Stage)
- King John - July 11 to September 19 (Studio Stage)
- Bard Explored: Lecture Series - June 23, July 14, August 11 & 25
- Bard-B-Q & Fireworks - Play plus salmon barbecue & fireworks viewing: July 28, August 1 & 4
- Celebrating Red & White - Wine tasting following the matinee performances and before the evening shows: August 18
- Nuit d'amour: French Opera Highlights (Opera & Arias) - UBC Opera Ensemble & members of Vancouver Opera Orchestra, hosted by Christopher Gaze: August 27 & September 3.
Bard on the Beach is Western Canada's largest professional Shakespeare Festival and its Artistic Director is Christopher Gaze. It presents its annual summer festival in Kitsilano's Vanier Park, adjacent to Vancouver's downtown core. The productions are staged in open-ended tents on the waterfront against a stunning backdrop of mountains, sea and sky. Performances run Tuesdays through Sundays. Evening curtain is at 8pm, except Sunday evenings and daily from September 5 and onward, when curtain moves one hour earlier to 7pm. Matinees are presented on selected weekends and weekdays.
Play ticket prices include HST and are $40 (evenings) and $21 to $33 (previews & matinees) with a $30 Youth Rate (6-25 years) for evening performances. For the month of June, the adult evening ticket price drops to $36. On Canada Day, July 1, a special $30 all-ages price is in effect for the evening performances. Prices for special events and the four-play Bard Pack can be found on the Bard website. Early booking is recommended for best seat selection (all performances are reserved seating) and as many performances sell out in advance. For more information and tickets, call 604-739-0559 or (toll free) 1-877-739-0559 or order online through the website. Follow Bard on Twitter, Like Bard on the Beach on Facebook. Watch Bard on the Beach videos.
2012 advance photography is now available. Please contact Cynnamon Schreinert for password access at cynnamon@shaw.ca or 604-802-2733.
Contact Information:
Cynnamon Schreinert
604-802-2733
www.bardonthebeach.org