Shakespeare is cool, and the people at the Freewill Shakespeare Festival make it cooler each year. Each year the festival presents one comedy and tragedy – this year’s festival features performances of “The Merry Wives of Windsor” and “The Merchant of Venice”. The festival takes place in Hawrelak Park each year in the Heritage Amphitheater – one of the best venues the city has to offer!

 

Dive into more Shakespearean fun below:

 

1. Not your grandpa’s Shakespeare festival! You won’t find stuffy Elizabethan tropes at Freewill. Every year the festival presents contemporary versions of the Bards best with flair. This year The Merry Wives of Windsor gets a healthy dose of ‘70s funk with disco-inspired costumes designed by Megan Koshka.

 

freewill line

 

2. Affordable! Freewill makes sure everyone can attend the festival by offering Pay-What-You-Will performances every Tuesday evening and Saturday afternoon. There’s also Free Student Sundays so students with valid student IDs get in for free.

3. Brew fit for the Bard! Alley Kat Brewery has crafted a special batch of cask beer just for Freewill. On June 29 and July 14 you can partake in these excellent suds while enjoying soft pretzels courtesy of Zwicks. Plus, you’ll receive reserved seating, and early entrance to the park via the VIP gate. Also, on June 28 be at Freewill’s Girls Night Out where you’ll be treated to a doughnut wall and specialty vodka drinks by Rig Hand Distillery.

4. Shakespeare’s Feast! True to their mission of presenting contemporary interpretations of Shakespeare’s work, the Freewill Festival is hosting a Shakespearean feast with all the BBQ you can handle on July 8. Guests will enjoy a beer or wine, a family style meal including ribs, chicken, roasted vegetables, salad and dessert before the evening’s performance of The Merry Wives of Windsor. And with Smokehouse BBQ manning the grill, you know you’re in good hands (vegetarian and gluten-free food will be available).
Freewill tea

 

5.Tea with Shakespeare! Dress in your Sunday best and join Freewill for an English tea on the festival grounds. Tea guests will enjoy a light luncheon, entertainment during the tea, priority seating for the matinee performance of the Merry Wives of Windsor and refreshments in the Special Event Tent during intermission.

 

SONiC spoke with Andrew Paul at Freewill Shakespeare about the festival and his favourite Shakespearean word. Listen below!

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LITEN: SONiC Talks to Andrew of the Freewill Shakespeare Festival

Originally Aired: June 11, 2017