SEPTEMBER AT BARD – MORE SHOWS ADDED DUE TO TICKET DEMAND

Three evening performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (BMO Mainstage) have been added between September 14 and 19. Six afternoon and evening performances of Cymbeline (Howard Family Stage) have been added between September 9 and 20, including a rescheduled later closing performance of Cymbeline on September 20 at 7:30pm. A Midsummer Night’s Dream also closes that evening, the final day of the 2014 festival. “Vancouverites and visitors alike have told us how excited they are about all our plays this season, and we’re happy to be able to provide more opportunities to see these two wildly popular productions before they disappear”, notes Artistic Director Christopher Gaze.

Bard is also adjusting its September student matinee schedule in response to the unresolved labour situation in the BC public school system. Some student performances are being consolidated and others have been rescheduled or cancelled. All remaining shows have been opened up for public sale.

In addition, the performance schedule has been changed for Will Shakespeare’s ImprovMusical, a new comedy event at Bard this season, and the 25^th anniversary special event Gazing Back, hosted by Christopher Gaze. See below for more event details.

Check www.bardonthebeach.org or call the Bard Box Office at 604-739-0559 for the complete revised September schedule.

Opera and Arias: Shakespeare’s Opera – Monday, September 1 (matinee & evening)

Christopher Gaze will host Shakespeare’s Opera, which features vocal and orchestral repertoire inspired by some of Shakespeare’s greatest plays, from Hamlet and The Merry Wives of Windsor to Romeo & Juliet. The concert is an annual tradition, highlighted by Bard’s unique and beautiful performance space. The operatic showcase features the rising stars of the UBC Opera Ensemble, directed by Nancy Hermiston; members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra provide instrumental performances conducted by Leslie Dala. Shakespeare’s Opera will be staged on Monday September 1 at 2pm and 7:30pm. Matinee ticket prices are $35 for adults and $27 for youth (ages 6-25); evening ticket prices are $47 (adults) and $27 (youth).

Will Shakespeare’s ImprovMusical – Mondays, September 1, 8 & 15

Get a taste of what Broadway musicals would have been like if William Shakespeare had written them! Bard on the Beach hosts a unique musical theatre event based on the language and plots of William Shakespeare. Performers from Grand Theft Impro will improvise every night, making each show a brand new experience. Performances begin on Monday, September 1 at 7:30pm on the Howard Family Stage with additional performances on Monday, September 8 and 15 at 7:30pm. Ticket prices are $25 for adults, $20 for students.

Fight Night: Academie Duello – Monday, September 8

Experience the excitement of rapiers, swords, shields and longswords in action – plus a unique twist on a quarterstaff fight! Academie Duello, the world’s largest school of European swordplay, will descend on Bard on the Beach for a thrilling night of martial arts, including sword fights from Shakespeare’s plays, a behind the scenes glimpse of how fight choreography is created, and an authentic historical Prize Fight. Featuring Academie Duello Director Devon Boorman, Stage & Screen Program Head David McCormick and AD senior students, plus Bard’s longtime fight choreographer Nick Harrison; Bard Artistic Director Christopher Gaze also appears. Fight Night: Academie Duello is a one-time event on Monday, September 8 at 7:30pm on the BMO Mainstage. All tickets are $25.

Bard, Beer & Pretzels! – Monday, September 8

Start your evening off with some Elizabethan-inspired revelry! Sample fine ales from NorthAm Beverages and crafted pretzels from Swiss Bakery – plus Emelle’s food truck will be on site to further satisfy your appetite. Continue the night with Bard on the Beach’s Fight Night: Academie Duello or Will Shakespeare’s ImprovMusical. Ticket purchasers to both the beer tasting and either of the two evening events receive $5 off their combined ticket price. Bard, Beer & Pretzels is at 5pm on Monday, September 8 in the Bard Village; tickets are $25.

Gazing Back – Reflecting on 25 Years at Bard – Friday, September 12

Join Christopher Gaze, the Artistic Director of Bard on the Beach, as he recalls highlights, hiccups and some well-kept secrets from twenty-five years of fascinating Festival history. The founding force behind Vancouver’s signature summer theatre event begins with his early vision for his life, carries on through his travels west and finally delves into the creation and success of Western Canada’s largest Shakespeare festival. Gazing Back starts at 7:30pm on Friday, September 12 and all tickets are $25.

Bard on the Beach is Western Canada’s largest professional Shakespeare festival, staged every June through September in Kitsilano’s Vanier Park, adjacent to Vancouver’s downtown core. Bard productions are staged in open-ended tents on the waterfront against a stunning backdrop of mountains, sea and sky. Performance schedule and information are on the Bard website at bardonthebeach.org. For full details and to buy tickets, call 604-739-0559 or (toll free) 1-877-739-0559 or order online through the Bard website.