In the past 10 years, I have only gone to Bard on the Beach a handful of times --The Comedy of Errors in 2015 and twice in 2022 (A Midsummer Night's Dream and Romeo and Juliet), although Bard was cancelled for a couple of years due to covid. Last year we visited a friend in Baltimore and he said that he loves Shakespeare. I told him that if he's a Shakespeare fan, he MUST come and visit us and go to Bard on the Beach, so last night my husband, sister, friend, and I went to see The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and it was excellent -- probably my favourite Shakespeare adaptation I have seen. Several years ago Bard on the Beach started performing plays in non-traditional Shakespearian costumes and settings. For example, the 2015 production of The Comedy of Errors had a steampunk theme and some other themes have been The Beatles, the Wild West, and 1920s Chicago. The Two Gentlemen of Verona performance we saw was set in the 1980s, and I loved it! (They still used Shakespeare's traditional dialogue.) The costumes were fantastic, and the 80s music played throughout was so fun! There were also many 1980s references such as Back to the Future and Weekend at Bernie's. There was also a dog in the play. The character of Crab the dog was to be played by Mason, Christopher Gaze's dog, but Taj, Mason's understudy (yes, the dog had an official understudy!), was in last night's performance. He was a very good boy. I usually read a synopsis of a play before seeing it so that I know what's going on, but I did not read anything about The Two Gentlemen of Verona before seeing the play. However, I had no issue following it. Briefly, the play is about two friends, Valentine and Proteus. Valentine goes to Milan while Proteus stays in Verona to be with Julia, the woman he loves. However, Proteus' parents make him go to Milan to serve in the Duke of Milan's court. In Milan, Valentine falls in love with Silvia, the daughter of the Duke of Milan, who reciprocates his feelings. When Proteus arrives in Milan, all of a sudden he thinks Julia is shit and wants Silvia. He sabotages Valentine and Silvia's relationship and tells Silvia he's going to rape her. Yet Valentine forgives Proteus and tells him he gives Silvia to him. WTF. In the original play, everything works out and Proteus and Julia and Valentine and Silvia are together. However, the Bard on the Beach production changed it, and for the better, in my opinion! In conclusion: The Two Gentlemen of Verona adaptation was EXCELLENT, and I highly recommend it! [Yelp collections: Plays, Shows, and Musicals; Being a tourist in my own city] read more

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We were really excited to watch Much Ado About Nothing. The staff were lovely and welcoming. However, there wasn't much happening at the Bard Village, despite reading online that it was worth arriving an hour early to explore and enjoy food. We ended up leaving to grab a bite nearby. As for the play itself, it was difficult to follow because it was performed in old English. The set and costumes were beautiful, and the actors did a great job, but since we could really follow along, we were incredibly bored. We ended up leaving during the intermission. read more

We just arrived from California and we're looking for something to do. We saw the advertisement for Bard on the beach so we decided to go. It was within walking distance of our Airbnb. We were able to purchase a yummy sandwich and a nice glass of wine. Waiting for the show to start, we talked to some people who live in Vancouver. They said we should've gotten tickets to see Hamlet instead of the other play we were going to see, which was in the smaller theater. I went to the box office and I was able to exchange tickets for Hamlet. The person at the box office was extremely kind and did not charge me extra for the exchange. It was a great decision because the play was outstanding. The actors were very professional and Captivating. I would definitely go again to all four of the plays that are shown there. read more

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I had always wanted to checkout Bard On The Beach but never got the chance. I finally got a chance to attend one of the shows (Julius Caesar) through Yelp Elite and it was a unique experience. I am not a big fan of theatre and I dread Shakespeare shows because of the language but the modern twist that this show had made it interesting and not boring. The language was a mix of modern and Shakespeare, the clothes were modernized, and the play wasn't too dense. The seating area is semi-closed so make sure you take a jacket with you because it can get chilly. They sell alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on the premises as well as some snacks (e.g. popcorn). There's plenty of paid parking available (~$15). read more

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First time going to Bard on the Beach. Went for a Shakespeare musical. Parking lot is $15.00. Saw someone rolled the dice and ended up with a $75.00 ticket. The venue is small and intimate, so no need to get tickets close to the stage. Entertaining, different but long (140 minutes + 20 minute intermission). read more

Bard On The Beach - Stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

I've always heard so many good things about Bard On The Beach. I checked it out for the first time and we watched 'as you like it'. It's a small and intimate stage/audience space. The show itself was super cute and engaging. It went very smoothly and quite funny in a few parts. We thoroughly enjoyed it for our first time and we would recommend it again! There is tones of parking in the area but do keep in mind you have to pay for parking. I'd also recommend Getting there early enough to find parking/get some snacks and drinks if you wish to have some. ***Disclaimer: I won two tickets through Yelp Elite for this event. read more

We loved this place! The actors were amazing- the first time I have ever laughed out loud in a Shakespeare play! A beautiful setting with the open back stage. The ushers were extremely helpful, even standing in the port-a-potty area directing everyone to vacancies. A full house when we attended. read more

Perfect. Just perfect. Watched Hamlet on June 14 and everything was just perfect. Tons of creativity and just great acting by all the actors. read more

A volunteer hit me with a program when I was paying attention to something else, saying, 'Hey!' I turned around to face them and they offered it to me saying, 'would you like a program?' I took it and didn't make a scene but went to the front of house manager later, only to be told that they are not the person to whom I should be reporting this incident. Not a safe space for people of color to go see a show. read more

Second only to the Seawall as a must do Vancouver experience. Always a crowd pleaser and in such an amazing setting. 30 years and sold out for much of it tells you something. Come by Mobi Bikeshare and avoid paying the ridiculous parking fees, the station is just meters away from the entrance. read more

Amazing experience! The Bard village was simply decorated with luminescent lights making it very romantic and cozy. We saw "as you like it" and it was funny and entertaining! The actors are talented and did an amazing job! The set was also nice. The Beatles music was well incorporated in the play! The toilets were also clean despite a large crowd. I wish the refreshments were a bit cheaper read more

Saw As You Like It. Great play! I liked that they made it set in Vancouver in the 1960s. If you love The Beatles, you'll love this one -- so many songs! 2.5 including an intermission. Lots of pay parking. Not the easiest to get to by public transit. The staff and volunteers are awesome. read more

Bard On The Beach - The stage for As You Like It - Performing Arts Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

First of all, I love, love, LOVE Bard on the Beach and have been supporting it now for over twenty years. And it is fabulous to see Bard back after the covid lockdown. Kudos and congratulations to Christopher Gaze and all the people who kept it alive (including the BC Govt). My problem is this, which loses a star - to make the Bard more trendy or modern or attractive to a wider audience, they are tinkering with Shakespeare's scripts more and more each year and it is wearing on me. read more

After 2 years of living in Vancouver, I finally got a chance to see a show at Bard on the Beach. I opted to see Hamlet, since I'm one of those rare kids who never studied Hamlet in high school or university. I pre-purchased my tickets online, although from what I can tell you can buy them at the box office (but the selection will probably be pretty limited!). I really liked being able to select my seats online. I was also a huge fan of the under 25 discount: my ticket cost $25 instead of the normal $43. The tickets arrived in the mail about a week after I ordered them online. Vanier Park is a great venue for this event. It's really pretty in the evening along the water. We arrived at the venue an hour before the show, and were easily able to find parking at the Museum of Vancouver for $5. The Bard on the Beach website suggests a few other parking lots as well, but the Museum lot was really convenient. There's not a ton to do before the show once you get through the entry gate. They do have a gift shop that stocks a lot of Shakespeare books, t-shirts, and other merchandise, but it's pretty expensive. The artistic director also gives a talk before the play where he talks about the history of Hamlet, which was pretty neat but I didn't stick around to listen to it. The concession itself is alright. As you can expect it's a bit pricey. I think it was around $8 for a glass of wine. The wine they have is from Sandhill Winery, which is pretty solid. I've had a lot worse! They also offer beer and cider. Just so you know, you CAN bring your drink into the theater. I didn't realize that was the case until I got into the theater. As for food, they had a picnic lunch you could pre-pay for, along with three different kids of popcorn and some other snacks. As for the show, they performed a more modern version of Hamlet. The characters used iPhone's and iPad's, but it was done in a clever way. I really enjoyed the acting. The actor who plays Hamlet really embraced Hamlet's over-the-top nature. There really wasn't a weak link in the bunch, the cast was incredibly talented. I'm also a sucker for good costume design, and I really liked the costumes. I found the play was a bit long at 3 hours and 5 minutes (this includes a 30 minute intermission), but everyone did a fantastic job. I had seats in section 6a, and they were fantastic. I would recommend bringing a jacket or scarf if you're going to a later showing, since it did get a little chilly by the end of the play. Overall, if you haven't been to the Bard on the Beach festival yet, you should really go! It's a fantastic festival in Vancouver. I fully intend to see another play next year. read more

Amazing experience! Ive seen a lot of shows in multiple cities. My evening at Bard on the Beach was one of the most memorable. From the moment you arrive, you know you're in for something different. Everything is under a tent but somehow they make it okay. The walkway leading to the theatre is plywood flanked by Christmas rope lights. My first thoughts as I entered were, "there isn't a bad seat in the house." I chose to see, "Shakespeare in Love." Kind of a strange choice for a company that claims to perform Bard (on the beach). Nonetheless, the show was exceptional. The players were at the top of their field. The stage was semicircular with a full length balcony. There was action evolving and receding perpetually on two levels. At times, there was a play within the play with action happening in the seats. The most striking moments were when the sun began to set through an open section of the backdrop. The stage was flooded with light and the steam coming off the lights created a haze on the stage. The players embraced the moment and the scene came to life. Unbelievable! read more

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I can never say too many amazing things about Bard on the Beach! I've always been a huge fan of Shakespeare, having grown up near his hometown, and Bard always exceeds my expectations! This year I have been lucky enough to see The Tempest, and A Midsummer Night's Dream (which I'm going to see at least once more... ahem...) and everything from the ushers who greet you, to the costuming, to the set itself is just extraordinary. I don't believe that Bard is capable of putting on a bad show, and I can't wait for next season! read more

After seeing so many stellar reviews I wonder if my wife and I are the only people who were gravely disappointed with the MEASURE FOR MEASURE BARD-B-Q & FIREWORKS held on Saturday, July 27th. I had all but forgotten about it when, on Monday, August 26th, we attended the OPERA & ARIAS which was phenomenal! Where else can one see Opera for $40?! But this review is not about that. One would be hard pressed to find fault with the play itself! Even a Shakespearean scholar would have had to rise to his feet and cheer! This was worth every penny of the $40 (each) it cost to attend. It is the 30 minute dinner with which I take exception. For the privilege of lining up like a bunch of cattle and being told that we were allowed to pass only once we paid a total of $60 (each) extra. The salmon diner was nothing special and little more than you might expect to receive at a picnic. Worth maybe $20 tops and even then I would have to complain about the vegetables. And if that wasn't bad enough, there was no water to drink. It is unconscionable to serve a meal to human beings and not provide water to drink. How much does it cost to add water to the menu. This was undoubtedly a ploy to force people to purchase refreshments from the concession stands. After charging $60 for dinner?! Are you kidding me?! We felt like the homeless who were receiving their free Thanksgiving meal. Disgusting! We will never attend such an event again. You would do well to cease this insulting practice. We could have seen the Fireworks for free at any number of places so this added nothing to our experience. Sincerely, Felix and Faranak read more

The plays in the summer of 2012 were first rate, as is the setting. Lovely way to spend a summer evening down by English Bay. Here's a tip. While you're having your pre-play cocktail, you can order and pay for your intermission drink, so when you come out there's now waiting in the queue, your drink(s) are poured and waiting for you! read more

A true highlight of my exquisite trip to Vancouver BC. I attended the production of Shakespeare's Midsummer Nights Dream. The cast was superb! Pre-show there were booths where the play was discussed and explained, as well as behind-the-scenes secrets revealed. It made for a more all-inclusive theatre experience. The tent setting is stunning, but fades in the shining light of the stage performances - not an easy accomplishment. read more

Bard On The Beach - The stage is set! - Performing Arts Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Bard on the Beach is definitely a staple Vancouver must-do event for the summer. I've been going to performances at Bard on the Beach every summer for the past 9 years. The first show I watched, "As You Like It", was when I was 15, and instantly I fell in love with theater, with Shakespeare, and with acting. Seeing the ways it has changed and evolved throughout the years has been nothing short of amazing. The cool thing about Bard on the Beach now compared to then? It's Shakespeare, but re-imagined and modernized! The first time I watched a modernized version of Shakespeare was two seasons ago at Bard. We watched "The Merry Wives of Windsor", and I have to say, I was *not* a fan. I hated the fact that it was set in the 1960s, I hated the fact that it was not authentic to the Bard I'd been used to and the Shakespeare I was used to, and I left there feeling unsatisfied and upset. However, the difference between that show and last night's show was the play itself. What I mean is this: "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is such a fun and accessible play, that turning it into a Gothic, Witchy, Pixie, Fairytale is totally doable. Not just doable, but fantastic! The story is so ridiculous and full of magic and fairies and enchantment that the twist on a classic Shakespearean story was absolutely incredible. Not only that, but the acting was tremendous. Whether it was an actor's first time at Bard or a longtime show-runner, every single actor on stage at last night's performance did an incredible job of capturing the audience and drawing them into the story. From the small, quirky added audience interactions like the Puck selfie, to the Fairies' ridiculous songs and dance throughout, the audience was captivated from start to finish. All in all, it was an awesome experience, and while I'm still getting used to this version of Shakespeare, in my opinion, it highly depends on the story and the director's vision, and this time around it was greatly executed. Highly recommend checking out "A Midsummer Night's Dream"! read more

Terrific version of The Merry Wives of Windsor with traditional wording set in the 60s. I had a front row seat. But for a couple of no shows, it was sold out. A little put off by the volumes of spit coming from the performers. I guess being so close means you get the advantage of the "full" performance. Loved how all of the actors could also sing and/or play musical instruments. Such talent. Worth a look in and a top date idea. Bus numbers 2 or 22, a $2.75 fare each way from downtown. Get on/off at the first stop off the Burrard St bridge and walk 5 mins to venue. Buses still running to take you home after the evening performance. read more

Bard On The Beach - The advantage of traveling solo. Front Row seat - Performing Arts Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

A friend suggested this when I was visiting Vancouver. Saw a good production of "King Lear." Nice venue, well-organized, and well-acted. Would happily go again. read more

Every time I catch a Bard on the Beach show I leave asking myself why I don't see all the show every year. It's always a matter of time and money 'casue I walk away from the experience on an artistic high for several hours. Last night's showing of Much Ado About Nothing was delightful. It was not the same calibre as 2016's Merry Wives of Windsor, but still time and money well spent. I especially like the organisations embrace of acknowledging and rewarding active transportation. As I commuted on my own bike and locked it up at the bike stand withing the Bard Village I was given a voucher for a free coffee/tea. Will most definitely try and see at least two of the other three shows this year. I hear I might have to beg, borrow or steal a ticket for Two Gentlemen of Verona, but I like my chances! read more

Amazing playhouse. I saw Macbeth on the main stage in a full house. The set, actors and environment all contributed to a fun evening. The are plenty of nice dining spots within walking distance and with a bit of luck you can grab a cab after the show. I would bring a warm layers if you're seeing an evening show as it does cool off after dark. read more

I love Bard on the Beach and make it a point to go every year to satisfied the English nerd in me. The venue has much improved since they started reserved seating rather than a first come first serve basis. You can now arrive at your leisure and enjoy the experience from a nice vantage point. "In a Nutshell" is another great recent addition. About 15 minutes before each performance, Artistic Director Christopher Gaze gives you a brief summary of the play (so you're not completely lost with the Shakespearean English) as well as offers some insight and questions you want to keep in mind during the performance. The Bard Village is cute although I do find the gift store and concession are both overpriced. Take intermission as an opportunity to pee and stretch your legs instead if you don't want to spend too much money. Most of the plays are performed without microphones except for this year's Hamlet. If you're worried about not hearing - Hamlet is your best bet. Which is great too because the performances in this production are awesome. Otherwise, a smaller venue like the Studio Stage is better since it's a more intimate seating so you can hear everything. Oh and everything is performed in an open tent so you'll want to bring a sweater or a blanket if you're watching an evening performance. read more

The best part of my summer has consistently been my chance to see the production's presented by Bard on the Beach. This year is no exception, in fact they have outdone themselves. My wife and I saw The Tempest tonight, and they knocked it out of the (Vanier) park. Every bit of the production, from the string ensemble (Bass, Violins and Viola) to the reimagining of Trinculo and Stephano as lecherous and besotted women, contributed to a magical evening. We cannot recommend this production more enthusiastically. read more

Absolutely splendid - Bard on the Beach gets better every year. I was lucky enough to snag last minute tickets to "A Midsummer Night's Dream" this past weekend and my experience from the box office to the show was nothing short of excellent. The box office was extremely helpful and eager connected my party and I right away with those who were returning their tickets. Production-wise, the show was very, very modern but honoured and respected Shakespeare's story very well. From the Top 40 music choices, improv by the actors and breathtaking costumes, this was my favourite Bard experience yet. read more

LOVE. Love. LOVE. Bard on the Beach could not be any more perfect. They seem to have the formula down PAT. Will be back every single year we can :D read more

Going to Bard is part of my summer tradition and I wouldn't miss it! I've never seen a bad production and I've seen everything from Hamlet to King Lear and from Richard II to A Midsummer's Night Dream. The festival is almost completely run by volunteers, from the greeters to the ticket-takers, to the people at the concession and the people who run the boutique. They are friendly and helpful and I've never had a negative experience with any of them. The concession serves Starbucks as well as local wines, beer and cider. The boutique has a lot of fun trinkets. Can't wait until next year! read more

I was not expecting much when my family took me to the "As you like it" play at Bard on the Beach as I haven't been a Shakespeare fan, but WOW! One of the greatest plays I have ever seen and I've seen shows all over the continent! So well done and had such beautiful costumes, music, and exquisite acting. It made you so happy to be a part of such a beautiful production. Would recommend to all. read more

Holy moly, good good show! My husband and I went to watch "a Midsummer Night Dream". I was a little hesitant because it is Shakespeare, and I thought the language might be too difficult for us (we aren't those smart classy people :-P). However, all my worries were completely vanished. The team really made sure that we can follow the story by their acting and some...unpredictable songs. It was by far one of the best comedies I've seen in my life. The entire theater was in several laughing fits. It was so funny. Just thinking about it makes me laugh again and I look like a crazy person laughing randomly. One thing I will say; the show we watched was not appropriate for kids. They asked at the beginning of the show if there are kids and there was only one kid, so perhaps they used a more risque version? I'm not sure. For adults it was amazing. You should get a babysitter and go watch it. read more

I was very impressed with the quality of this production. Often theatre that is not in London or New York is poor, but this was worthy of both those cities. Do yourself a favour and go! read more

My wife and I attended a preview performance of "Measure for Measure" the week of Canada Day. They did a 1900-New Orleans setting, which I thought worked quite well for the material. Yes, they mixed together Americanisms from different time periods, but it wasn't too distracting. The incorporation of music performed on stage really added to the performance. Even though I'm not much of a Shakespeare person, I thoroughly enjoyed the performance. This was on the smaller stage, and being so close to the action was definitely a plus. read more

In theory this is a great way to showcase some live theater and should make for an entertaining evening. In reality, the acting, props and overall experience was, for myself anyway, quite dull. I got bored, lost interest and didn't return after the intermission. I understand there are constraints associated with running a temporary production in a few tents in a park... but then that doesn't seem to stop the likes of Cirque du Soleil from blowing my mind when I've seen their travelling shows. Maybe I went in with expectations that were too high. read more

I never read Shakespeare in school and don't really understand the language of yore. Still, I saw Romeo and Juliette this summer and thoroughly enjoyed it. Took me about 30 minutes to get into the language and the story, but after that, I was hooked! The theatre is indoors but there is a large window at the back of the stage, which makes it semi-outdoors. The audience is warm and comfy though and the evening is just splendid. I'll be going back again and again. read more