Shakespeare BASH'd is back and excited to welcome back audiences for the first time since early 2020!
In the past we have loved working in bars, and though we were forced to take a brief pandemic hiatus, this season we are back and moving “Beyond the Bar”! Although we still think Shakespeare goes great with a pint, we want our shows to be a safe, fun, exciting night out.
Our "Beyond the Bar" season will feature the same great theatre we're known for, but our work will be housed in venues where we can allow for less crowding as well as audience masking. While we love our regular homebase of some of Toronto's best bars, with the ongoing pandemic, we want to be able to share theatre, while still keeping our actors and audiences safe. We are selecting venues where audiences can remain masked while they enjoy the performance, helping us keep everyone healthy, and keeping our spaces accessible for immunocompromised and disabled community members.
In the past we have loved working in bars, and though we were forced to take a brief pandemic hiatus, this season we are back and moving “Beyond the Bar”! Although we still think Shakespeare goes great with a pint, we want our shows to be a safe, fun, exciting night out.
Our "Beyond the Bar" season will feature the same great theatre we're known for, but our work will be housed in venues where we can allow for less crowding as well as audience masking. While we love our regular homebase of some of Toronto's best bars, with the ongoing pandemic, we want to be able to share theatre, while still keeping our actors and audiences safe. We are selecting venues where audiences can remain masked while they enjoy the performance, helping us keep everyone healthy, and keeping our spaces accessible for immunocompromised and disabled community members.
February 16-26, 2023
at The Theatre Centre Incubator
at The Theatre Centre Incubator
Our season will begin with a star-studded production of The Tragedy of King Lear, featuring Tony and Olivier nominated Scott Wentworth in the title role. The production will feature a cast including many BASH'd regulars and some new talents, and will be directed by James Wallis.
Joining Scott Wentworth will be BASH'd Co-Artistic Director Julia Nish-Lapidus as the Fool, as well as BASH'd regulars Mairi Babb as Kent, Daniel Briere as Cornwall, Melanie Leon as Goneril, David Mackett as Gloucester, and Tristan Claxton as Oswald and the King of France. Joining the BASH'd team for the first time are 郝邦宇 Steven Hao as Duke of Burgandy/Knight/Gentelman, Madelaine Hodges (賀美倫) as Regan, Ngabo Nabea as Edgar, Deivan Steele as Edmund, Breanne Tice as Cordelia, and Ben Yoganathan as Albany.
Behind the scenes will be Stage Manager Christopher Brackett, Fight Director Jennifer Dzialoszynski, Sound Designer Matt Nish-Lapidus, and Assistant Director Kate Martin.
Joining Scott Wentworth will be BASH'd Co-Artistic Director Julia Nish-Lapidus as the Fool, as well as BASH'd regulars Mairi Babb as Kent, Daniel Briere as Cornwall, Melanie Leon as Goneril, David Mackett as Gloucester, and Tristan Claxton as Oswald and the King of France. Joining the BASH'd team for the first time are 郝邦宇 Steven Hao as Duke of Burgandy/Knight/Gentelman, Madelaine Hodges (賀美倫) as Regan, Ngabo Nabea as Edgar, Deivan Steele as Edmund, Breanne Tice as Cordelia, and Ben Yoganathan as Albany.
Behind the scenes will be Stage Manager Christopher Brackett, Fight Director Jennifer Dzialoszynski, Sound Designer Matt Nish-Lapidus, and Assistant Director Kate Martin.
Spring 2023
a staged reading
a staged reading
The company returns to a reading that had to be postponed three-years prior: 'Tis Pity She's a Whore, John Ford's ghastly masterpiece.
The city is embracing depravity, and declining into violent and religious hypocrisy. Two siblings begin an incestuous affair with one another, as the world around them slowly corrodes. We've waited so long to share this play with you and can't wait to finally have the opportunity.
Directed by James Wallis, this production will feature much of the cast that had begun work on the 2020 production.
The city is embracing depravity, and declining into violent and religious hypocrisy. Two siblings begin an incestuous affair with one another, as the world around them slowly corrodes. We've waited so long to share this play with you and can't wait to finally have the opportunity.
Directed by James Wallis, this production will feature much of the cast that had begun work on the 2020 production.
Spring 2023
a staged reading
a staged reading
Finally, we'll close out the season with a staged reading of The Revenger's Tragedy, by Thomas Middleton (?), directed by Julia Nish-Lapidus.
This grotesque spectacle, both disturbing and hilarious, takes many ideas from the popular revenge story of its time, similar to Hamlet. The passionate revenger, Vindice, looks to right the wrongs of his brutal and depraved society by becoming a cog in the machine of wealth, power, and debauchery. This deeply disquieting, entertaining, and marvellous play straddles the line between comic enjoyment and tragic intensity.
This grotesque spectacle, both disturbing and hilarious, takes many ideas from the popular revenge story of its time, similar to Hamlet. The passionate revenger, Vindice, looks to right the wrongs of his brutal and depraved society by becoming a cog in the machine of wealth, power, and debauchery. This deeply disquieting, entertaining, and marvellous play straddles the line between comic enjoyment and tragic intensity.
In order to make this ambitious season the best it can be, we need your help!
We are working to crowdfund $4000 to help us cover some of the costs of this season.
The truth of the matter is that theatre requires a great deal of money and with the changes this season (new venues, added COVID safety measures, etc) our plans require an increased budget. We at Shakespeare BASH’d are committed to giving increasing support to our artists, who will receive the entirety of our box office revenue.
Our goal is to raise money to pay for preliminary costs for the productions this season. We aim to keep costs low, work hard to make our shows simple, and try to allow no waste of time or money in our work.
We are dedicated to bringing you a hard-working company, great text, and a safe, accessible, fantastic night for all at a great Toronto venue! Every dollar donated goes a long way to helping make this possible.
Check-out the campaign and consider making a donation. There are great perks available, including tickets, personalized sonnet videos, Shakespeare BASH'd tote bags, and much more!
We are working to crowdfund $4000 to help us cover some of the costs of this season.
The truth of the matter is that theatre requires a great deal of money and with the changes this season (new venues, added COVID safety measures, etc) our plans require an increased budget. We at Shakespeare BASH’d are committed to giving increasing support to our artists, who will receive the entirety of our box office revenue.
Our goal is to raise money to pay for preliminary costs for the productions this season. We aim to keep costs low, work hard to make our shows simple, and try to allow no waste of time or money in our work.
We are dedicated to bringing you a hard-working company, great text, and a safe, accessible, fantastic night for all at a great Toronto venue! Every dollar donated goes a long way to helping make this possible.
Check-out the campaign and consider making a donation. There are great perks available, including tickets, personalized sonnet videos, Shakespeare BASH'd tote bags, and much more!
Meet the company!
Our core company has evolved throughout the pandemic and we're thrilled to introduce you to the team working hard to bring these productions to the stage.
Julia Nish-Lapidus, Co-Founder & Co-Artistic Director
James Wallis, Co-Founder & Co-Artistic Director
Daniel Briere, Associate Artistic Director
Jade Douris-O’Hara, Resident Artist
Drew Douris-O’Hara, Resident Artist
Catherine Rainville, Resident Artist
This season, we are also thrilled to be working with Resident Stage Manager, Christopher Brackett.
Season artwork by Matt Nish-Lapidus.
Julia Nish-Lapidus, Co-Founder & Co-Artistic Director
James Wallis, Co-Founder & Co-Artistic Director
Daniel Briere, Associate Artistic Director
Jade Douris-O’Hara, Resident Artist
Drew Douris-O’Hara, Resident Artist
Catherine Rainville, Resident Artist
This season, we are also thrilled to be working with Resident Stage Manager, Christopher Brackett.
Season artwork by Matt Nish-Lapidus.