Summer showed up for opening night at Vancouver's popular Bard on the Beach Festival
Written by: Julie Ovenell-CarterI knew Bard on the Beach artistic director Christopher Gaze was connected. But I had no idea his contacts went so far up the food chain that he was able to arrange perfect weather for last night’s delayed opening of Much Ado About Nothing.
It was the perfect kick-off to summer: Shakespeare and Vancouver both at their sunny, sparkling best.
Vancouver’s little-Shakespeare-festival-that-could welcomed 90,000 people under the tents at Kits Point last year–up sharply from the 6,000 who came during the first season in 1990. This year there are two stages cycling four plays: the roster includes Much Ado, Antony and Cleopatra, Falstaff and Henry V in rep until the end of September.
There’s much to love about the Bard experience: the Chanel-and-tattoos audience mix; the waterfront setting; the enthusiasm of the many long-serving volunteers. And of course, the reliable quality of the productions themselves.
This festival sells out; get your tickets now.
Win a tickets-and-picnic package:
Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy about would-be lovers who need a little help from their friends to find romance.
Leave a comment below explaining how winning two tickets to the Saturday, June 26th (8 pm) performance along with an Emelle’s picnic dinner would help you–or a needy friend–to create a little romance in your/their life.
I’ll do a random draw on Thursday, June 24th at 6 pm and notify the winner in a post here and also by email. Good luck!
Update: Congratulations to Amber whose entry read: “My Belly/Baby Buddy and her husband would love a night out away from the cute babe! Money is tight but their love is strong.” Watch your email for details of prize pick-up and thanks to all who entered!
Don Foran
on June 13th, 2010“If we can do this, then Cupid is no longer an archer;
his glory shall be ours, for we are the only love-gods.”
Don Pedro, ActII scene i
Much Ado About Nothing
Jodie
on June 13th, 2010Full time mom with toddler needs surprise evening out with poor neglected hubby. We are on a tight budget and don’t seem to make romance a priority anymore. Would love to experience the Bard again (it’s been years since I saw a BOTB performance and what could be more romantic than a picnic.
Love goes towards love!
Mikala BackstageRider
on June 13th, 2010Other Half and I like to think we’re a bit ROCK (okay, he’s more TECHNO). But we do lament the fact that we aren’t CULTURED or CIVILIZED as we should be. Used to go see theatre once and a while in England but since living in Vancouver, nahhh, hardly any. And this we need to fix. We would long to snuggle under the stars, feed our souls with the strange, Klingon-like language of Shakespeare and our bellies with picnicky goodness.
Kathryn
on June 13th, 2010This could pass as a little pre-anniversary celebration to mark 28 fabulous years together.
Teri
on June 13th, 2010will have seen Much Ado on Wed myself, but this would be a lovely gift for a cpl needing a night out
alexander
on June 14th, 2010Hi there ! It would be awesome to make a romantic surprise to my girlfriend ^^
Dennis L.
on June 14th, 2010I would love to surprise my fiancee with a lovely picnic and theatre. And if I don’t win, “Woe is me”
Dilara
on June 14th, 2010Doubt Truth to be a Liar
But Never Doubt, I love… to go to Bard!
*fingers crossed*
Fiona
on June 15th, 2010I’d like my two daughters to have a picnic and Shakespeare. They’re wonderful, and wonderful to me. They really deserve a treat, and while I’d love to be there too, they’d have fun together, just the two siblings. A very Vancouver interlude before going once more into the breach.
Oana
on June 15th, 2010Oooh I’d love tickets to Bard on the Beach! I’d give them to my parents, who haven’t seen much of each other lately because my dad’s been traveling 90% of the past year. My dad used to volunteer at Bard on the Beach when I was in high school and it did wonderful things for his spoken English. This would be a perfect date night for them!
maria
on June 15th, 2010I have always wanted to go to Bard on The Beach but have never been. This would be a great treat for myself as i have been tight on funds lately!
angela
on June 15th, 2010I would love to take a friend for her birthday!! This would be great. Neither of us has seen Bard On The Beach before!
Randall Shirley
on June 15th, 2010I’m leaving my partner home while I go gallavanting in NYC…he could take a friend and forget how much he misses me (and about all the amazing theatre I’ll be seeing).
Teresa K
on June 16th, 2010I would love to take my boyfriend to this. We’re in a new relationship and would love to kick things off with lots of romance like by going to Bard on the Beach and getting a picnic package.
Josip
on June 18th, 2010I need more romance in my life because it’s good for me. I want to fix nothing about my relationship with my wife. My wife’s intelligence is what I’m crazy about.
Amber
on June 19th, 2010My Belly/Baby Buddy and her husband would love a night out away from the cute babe! Money is tight but their love is strong
Susanna Vose
on June 21st, 2010This year I vowed to DO MORE ART (partly to get my mind off of something icky and partly just because I like supporting the Arts). And I’m pretty impressed with how seriously I pursued my goal: I’ve taken drama courses; a dance class; been to dance performances and dozens of plays, films & operas; and even produced an opera with my grade 3 class. Bard on the Beach (with picnic!!! WOWEE!!) would be an exquisite way to celebrate my year’s end (which, I believe, will only be the beginning…). Thanks!!
Nigel Pottle
on June 21st, 2010It sounds about perfect – Theatre, food, love and it’s all free. I know my husand and I would have a great time enjoying the Bard’s wonderful words and the complications of love, and with food included – what’s not to love.
Susan
on June 22nd, 2010Old love is so much better than new love. The only thing is, sometimes we forget to treat it like new love, which is why sometimes old love fades into no-love. Pick me, pick me, and I’ll treat my old love like new love.
Lorraine Grescoe
on June 23rd, 2010Well, this tired music teacher NEEDS a chance to see someone else do the performing, and so I’d love to be chosen for this wonderful night out.
Jewels
on June 24th, 2010my bf and i desperately need a date night. we are both so independent that we sometimes forget to reconnect with each other even though we make plans, some work event arises or travel schedule impedes. he has never been to the Bard and what better way to introduce him then through a picnic and a great evening of just being with each other.
Sandra McKenzie
on June 24th, 2010I need to convince my lovely, near-perfect husband that Shakespeare is fun – that’s there’s more to the Bard than blood and guts and duels and strange language. Once he ‘gets’ it, he’ll be perfect. And Much Ado is just about the perfect play to trigger this transformation. As for the picnic – well, we’re both serious foodies, so the gulls will just have to diet that night. We won’t leave a crumb behind.
Amber
on June 24th, 2010Yahhhh how exciting! I am madly trying to get ahold of my friend Casey in hopes that she is free and can get a sitter as I entered as a secret surprise for them! Thank you so much this is a wonderful treat! I look forward to reading your blog more!
Thank you again!
Amber
on June 24th, 2010Yahhhh how exciting! I am madly trying to get ahold of my friend Casey in hopes that she is free and can get a sitter as I entered as a secret surprise for them! Thank you so much this is a wonderful treat! I look forward to reading your blog more!
Thank you again!