Bard on the Beach opens 35th season with circus-carnival inspired take on Twelfth Night

Performances of beloved Shakespeare show will take place in Sen̓áḵw/Vanier Park from June 11 to September 21, with several special events in store

SPONSORED POST BY Bard on the Beach

Aidan Correia (left) as Orsino and Camille Legg as Viola in Bard on the Beach’s Twelfth Night. Photo and image design by Emily Cooper

Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival is launching its 35th season in Sen̓áḵw/Vanier Park with Twelfth Night, on the BMO Mainstage from June 11 to September 21.

Director Diana Donnelly has crafted a topsy-turvy carnival world packed with romance, laughs, adventure, and self-discovery, set to original music by Vancouver singer-songwriter Veda Hille. This beloved play promises to captivate audiences with its blend of mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and whimsical revelry.

Set in the colorful land of Illyria, Twelfth Night follows the story of Viola, a young woman shipwrecked on the coast and separated from her twin brother Sebastian, who she believes is dead. Viola disguises herself as a man named Cesario to navigate this unfamiliar territory and enters into the service of Duke Orsino, who sends Cesario (Viola) to woo the beautiful Countess Olivia on his behalf.

Things take a twist when Olivia falls for Cesario instead of the Duke, leading to a delightful love triangle. Meanwhile, chaos ensues as Olivia’s household is thrown into disarray by the antics of her rowdy uncle, Sir Toby Belch, and his foolish companion, Sir Andrew Aguecheek. They join forces with witty maid Maria and clever clown Feste to play a series of pranks on Olivia’s uptight steward Malvolia, the unwitting target of their mischief.

Twelfth Night cast members include Ivy Charles, Evelyn Chew, Aidan Correia, Charlie Gallant, Olivia Hutt, Nathan Kay, Camille Legg, Anton Lipovetsky, Chirag Naik, Dawn Petten, Christine Quintana, Munish Sharma, Nadeem Phillip, Andrew Wheeler, and Marcus Youssef.

The production’s vibrant atmosphere and colorful characters will immerse theatregoers in a festive spectacle that celebrates the spirit of summer. Set designer Pam Johnson will transform the stage into a circus-carnival festival, and costume designer Mara Gottler has crafted outfits for every character with the theme of carnival couture.

There will be several special performances of Twelfth Night, most notably the crowd-pleasing Bard Fireworks Nights on July 20, 24, and 27. There will also be Family Day matinee performances on July 14 and 18, a Bard Pride Day show on August 4, and more.

To book tickets and learn more, visit Bard on the Beach.

Post sponsored by Bard on the Beach.