Shakespeare Fans in BC Treated to Year-Round Programming with Bard on the Beach and Globe On Screen

November 7, 2014

Starting November 8, Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival and MEI Events International Inc. will present Shakespeare fans in BC with a unique, year-round opportunity to watch 10 incredible Shakespeare productions. During fall and winter, fans will get to enjoy the drama, laughter, and magic of six wildly popular Shakespeare productions from London’s legendary Globe Theatre.

In the spring and summer seasons, Shakespeare enthusiasts will experience live plays in the magnificent setting of Vancouver’s waterfront Vanier Park, with four new Bard theatre productions.

[Christopher Gaze]

The Globe On Screen Canadian series highlight will include a special appearance and Q&A with Bard’s Artistic Director Christopher Gaze at Landmark Esplanade’s screening of The Taming of the Shrew on December 20, starring double Olivier Award-winner Samantha Spiro.

Other Globe screenings in BC will include all-time Shakespeare classics from its hugely successful 2013 and 2014 seasons. Enjoy screenings such as Henry V, and Broadway hit Twelfth Night, highlighted by Mark Rylance’s stunning Tony Award-winning performance – Globe On Screen’s best-performing production to date.

Following The Taming of the Shrew, the series is rounded out with The Tempest, starring double Olivier-winner Roger Allam; Macbeth, featuring Joseph Millson; and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, starring Olivier Award-winner Michelle Terry.

2015’s Bard season runs from June 4 to September 26, 2015, and is set to open on the BMO Mainstage with the hilarious audience favourite The Comedy of Errors, alternating with the towering tragedy King Lear, a co-production with Theatre Calgary.

In the intimate Douglas Campbell tent, audiences will be treated to the world premiere of a new play based on best-selling author C.C. Humphrey’s historical novel Shakespeare’s Rebel and directed by Bard Artistic Director Christopher Gaze, along with a music-filled, Jazz Age setting of Love’s Labour’s Lost.

This unique and exciting partnership brings together two like-minded companies intent on sharing the best Shakespeare performances with Canadian audiences. Shakespeare fans will get to experience the highest quality sound and visual productions at some of Canada’s most unique venues, including over 25 Landmark Cinemas across the country – Canada’s second largest theatre chain – along with independent cinemas, performing arts centres, and colleges and universities.

Bard on the Beach fans will also enjoy an array of complementary programming including Bard-B-Q & Fireworks events and Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and Opera & Arias concerts in a unique performance space.

Thomas Miller, CEO of MEI says, “It is an absolute privilege for MEI to bring these incredible Globe On Screen productions to enthusiastic audiences in BC and across Canada. No longer will fans always have to fly to London to see Shakespeare at the Globe – they can now share the experience in the comfort of their local cinemas.”

Throughout the year, Canadian Shakespeare fans will also have the chance to win some fantastic prizes, including tickets to see the Globe screenings and Bard productions.

Watch the Globe On Screen trailer here. Visit Globe On Screen’s website to learn more.