Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival continues its 26th season with a musical adaptation of Love’s Labour’s Lost. The play will run Tuesdays through Sundays from June 19 to September 20 on the Howard Family Stage, in the 270-seat Douglas Campbell Theatre Tent in Vanier Park.
It’s Chicago in the 1920s and Ferdinand, “The King” (Jay Hindle) controls the illegal liquor and gambling trade on Chicago’s South Side. He has decided to give up all vice (especially women) and turn his popular speakeasy, Navarre, into a scholarly retreat for three years. His two friends, Berowne (Josh Epstein) and Dumain (Daniel Doheny) agree to swear an oath to give up vice as well. The three men amuse themselves by enjoying the antics of Don Armato (Andrew McNee), Ferdinand’s Italian house guest, and Costard (Andrew Cownden), the resident comedian. Don Armato has fallen in love withJaquenetta (Dawn Petten), a flapper at Navarre, and is distressed when he and his page Moth (Lili Beaudoin) find her alone with Costard. Ferdinand’s scholarly resolve is put to the test when his arch-rival’s daughter, Princess (Lindsey Angell), arrives at Navarre with Rosaline (Luisa Jojic) andKatherine (Sereana Malani), two of her closest friends. Ferdinand, Berowne and Dumain immediately fall in love with the women, but conceal their feelings because of their oath. When Berowne has Costard deliver a love letter to Rosaline, his feelings for her are revealed. It is not long before the three friends concoct a plan to pursue the ladies. Meanwhile, Princess and her friends learn of the men’s intentions and decide to have some fun of their own. Holofernes (Ben Elliott), Boyet (Anna Galvin) and Dull (Jeff Gladstone) also join the cast in this rip-roaring world of speakeasies and jazz. The party is in full swing!
Marshall McMahen brings the realm of gangsters and secret jazz halls to life with his scenic design, paired with Rebekka Sɸrensen-Kjelstrup’s rich, detailed costumes and Adrian Muir’s lighting design. The lively period is highlighted through Valerie Easton’s choreography and with fight direction from Nicholas Harrison. Under Ben Elliott’s musical direction, members of the Company perform jazz favourites in a live onstage band. Daryl Cloran, Artistic Director of Western Canada Theatre, makes his directorial debut at Bard this summer with his unique interpretation of the play, with the help of Apprentice Director Melissa Oei.
Performance details for Love’s Labour’s Lost are as follows:
• Previews: June 19, 20, 24, 25; OPENING NIGHT: Friday, June 26 at 7:30pm
• Runs Tuesdays through Sundays, June 19 to September 20, on the Howard Family Stage in the Douglas Campbell Tent
• Plays in repertory with Shakespeare’s Rebel which begins previews July 2
• Talkback Tuesdays July 7, 21, August 4 & 18 – Q&A session with members of the Love’s Labour’s Lost cast following the performance
Ticket prices for 2015 include all applicable fees and taxes and begin at $26. The Global BC Youth Price is also available. Early booking is recommended for best seat selection; many performances sell out in advance. Full pricing information, the performance schedule and site and event details are on the Bard website at bardonthebeach.org. To book tickets, call the Bard Box Office at 604-739-0559 or (toll free) 1-877-739-0559 or order online through the Bard website.
Bard on the Beach gratefully acknowledges its 2015 Season Sponsor, Goldcorp, and the production sponsor of Love’s Labour’s Lost, BlueShore Financial.
ABOUT BARD ON THE BEACH FESTIVAL
Bard on the Beach is one of Canada’s largest not-for-profit, professional Shakespeare festivals. Established in 1990, Bard is an annual summer festival with a mission to perform, explore and celebrate the genius of William Shakespeare, surrounded by the natural beauty of Vancouver, British Columbia. Play performances run Tuesday through Sunday with matinees on selected weekends and weekdays. All evening performances start at 7:30 pm.
