Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival

Magic and intrigue are at the heart of this fantastical romance. Prospero, a magician and the exiled Duke of Milan, lives on an enchanted island with his daughter Miranda, the spirit Ariel, and the slave Caliban. Prospero escaped years ago to the island, fleeing from his usurping brother Antonio, and Alonso, King of Naples. Now he’s conjured up a storm that shipwrecks his old enemies on the island’s shores. As Ariel and Prospero weave their magic, new alliances form, murder plots brew, and romance blossoms between Miranda and King Alonso’s son Ferdinand.

The Tempest features Allan Morgan as Prospero and Lili Beaudoin as his daughter Miranda. Jennifer Lines is the spirit Ariel and Todd Thomson plays the mean-spirited Caliban. Those shipwrecked on the island include Ian Butcher as Prospero’s brother Antonio, Scott Bellis as Alonso King of Naples, Bernard Cuffling as Gonzalo, Andrew McNee as Sebastian, and Kyle Rideoutas Francisco. Daniel Doheny plays Prince Ferdinand, the love-struck son of Alonso. Adding humour are Luisa Jojic and Naomi Wright as the drunken courtiers Stephana and Trincula, who team up with Caliban. Allan Zinyk is the Boatswain who steers the ship through the storm along with fellow mariners Chirag Naik and John Voth, while Claire Hesselgrave, Sereana Malani andAdele Noronha play the Sprites that inhabit this magical island.

Scenic Designer Pam Johnson takes her inspiration from the sea, and the stage is enveloped with curved edges and crafted with open playing spaces. Costume Designer Christine Reimer dresses the shipwrecked courtiers in Jacobean attire, and has designed fantastical, island-inspired costumes for the Spirits and Shapes. More island magic will be brought to life by Heidi Wilkinson, Head of Properties. Alessandro Juliani has composed an original score for a string quartet, on stage at every performance, to evoke both the supernatural as well as the romantic world of the play. Malcolm Dow is the Sound Design Assistant for this production. The music is performed live on stage by Mark Beaty (bass and musical director), Molly MacKinnon (violin), Isabelle Roland (viola), Marcus Takizawa (viola) and Erin Kathleen Wong (violin). Gerald King’s lighting design heightens the sense of magic and romance, while Movement Choreographer Rob Kitsos and Fight Director Nicholas Harrisonoversee the island antics. Production Stage Manager Stephen Courtenay is assisted by Kelly Barker (Assistant Stage Manager) and Anthony Wade-Cooper (Apprentice Stage Manager). Apprentice Director for The Tempest is Mack Gordon.

• Previews: June 12, 13, 14, 19, 25, 26; OPENS: Friday June 27. ALL evening performances begin at 7:30pm.
• Runs Tuesdays through Sundays from June 12 to September 18 – on the BMO Mainstage in Vanier Park.
• Bard-B-Q & Fireworks July 30 @ 4:30pm (NEW START TIME). The Tempest plus salmon barbecue, post-dinner entertainment & fireworks viewing. (July 26 & August 2 Bard-B-Q events: performance is A Midsummer Night’s Dream)
• Plays in repertory with A Midsummer Night’s Dream which begins in previews June 11.