How much Shakespeare content have you consumed in your life? Maybe a few plays from High School, and a few pop culture references in movies and TV. But did you know that people have entire festivals dedicated to the life and culture of Shakespeare? Vancouver’s Bard on the Beach is Western Canada’s biggest non-profit Shakespeare Festival. Established in 1990, the event has taken place at Vancouver’s Vanier Park for nearly 30 years. Unfortunately, in 2020 they did have to cancel the event due to the pandemic, but in 2021 they held it as an online virtual event for anyone to enjoy! They are slated to return as an in-person festival in the summer of 2022.
Riches, Matt . 2018. JPG file. / Unsplash
The main attraction of Bard on the Beach is definitely the two theatre tents, with a combined total of 991 seating capacity. The Mainstage Theatre Tent is custom-built and typically used for the biggest Shakespeare plays and stories. Its open-ended view allows performers to take advantage of its beautiful backdrop. The Douglas Campbell Theatre tent has a smaller capacity but is arguably even more intimate with its showcase of lesser-known plays from Shakespeare as well as contemporary plays.
In the Bard Village, a variety of educational and entertaining activities are available. These can range from concession stands, game corners, and the Bard Boutique. In addition to the yearly festivals, it also hosts a youth summer camp for ages 8 to 18. They realize the importance of educating not only adults but also children of the impact and cultural value that Shakespeare has provided all across the world. For those aged 19 to 24, there are also paid internship opportunities.
The continued growth of Bard on the Beach since its establishment in 1990 is nothing short of amazing. Back in 1990, they only had 6000 in attendance, while 2019 held a record number of 103,000. The non-profit operating budget has also increased from $35,000 to $7.5 million in that time. Having received both audience and critical acclaim, Bard on the Beach, is sure to continue for generations to come.