Latest news with #TheCompleteWorksof

Calgary Herald

2025 Bard on the Beach opens with Shakespeare's first play, and a set of rom coms

Article content Vancouver actor Agnes Tong is new to Bard on the Beach this year. She plays Silvia, beloved of Valentine, one of the two gents from Verona. With a lengthy Hollywood North TV and film resume, the Studio 58 graduate fondly recalls attending Bard on the Beach in the past. Article content Article content 'It's an event with beautiful language floating over to the mountains you see through the open back of the stage,' said Tong of the famous seaside setting. Article content Noting she's still somewhat new to Shakespeare, having previously been directed in Julius Caesar at Studio 58 by current cast mate Scott Bellis, Tong says it has been a complete delight diving into the work. Article content 'It looks hard, but the iambic pentameter rhythm of the writing mirrors a natural speaking rhythm that makes learning the language of the Bard easier,' she said. 'But, yes, there are still some words that are hard to get your mouth around and ensure the image and emotion in what you are saying resonates. We are having the best time with the big hair, bigger shoulder pads and drawing on my previous career as a dancer.' Article content Article content Article content Tong plays opposite Matthew Ip Shaw as Valentine. Jacob Leonard appears as Proteus, Valentine's best mate and the other gent of Verona, who is in love with Julia (Tess Gegenstein). The love story between this foursome follows them on an adventure that spans several royal courts, locations, and encounters. Article content By end of show, the audience will be able to know the answer to the question posed by the Human League in its 1981 smash, Don't You Want Me? Article content Article content Much Ado About Nothing: A romp that is 'as merry as the day is long.' Featuring sparring couple Beatrice and Benedick and star-crossed young lovers Claudio and Hero, this is one of Shakespeares most-loved comedies directed by Johnna Wright. With Sheldon Elter as Benedick, Jennifer Lines as Beatrice, Angus Yam as Claudio and Jennifer Tong as Hero. Article content The Two Gentlemen of Verona: Venture back to the weird and wacky era of the 1980s for a music-filled frenzy of rom-com mix-ups and eventual matches in what is considered Shakespeare's first play. Directed by Dean Paul Gibson. With Agnes Tong as Silvia, Tess Degenstein as Julia, Matthew Ip Shaw as Valentine and Jacob Leonard as Proteus. Plus Mason the dog as Crab, the dog. Article content Douglas Campbell Theatre: Article content The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] [Again]: A sprint through all of the Shakespearean canonical plays in record time with no shortage of laugh out loud moments. A fan fave whether you love or loathe the Bard. Directed by Mark Chavez. With Tess Degenstein, Craig Erickson, Arghavan Jenati and Nathan Kay in many, many roles. Article content The Dark Lady: Playwright and actor Jessica B. Hill's story of England's first published female poet, Emilia Bassano, asks if she was the 'Dark Lady' of Shakespeare's sonnets and more. Directed by Moya O'Connell. With Arghavan Jenati as Emilai Bassano, Nathan Kay as William Shakespeare, Sebastian Kroon and Synthia Yusuf as understudies.