Shakespeare BASH'd 2025/26 Season
"Strange Bedfellows"
Our lives are built around people, those we love, hate, desire, and fear. Our vital connection to one another shapes our world and life perspective.
The exploration of people as the centre of the universe, interacting with the pressing and ambivalent needs of one another, was a recurring theme in the work of Shakespeare and his contemporaries.
Our season brings together three plays exploring relationships brimming with love, sex, violence, sacrifice, and loyalty. We’ll delve into worlds of comic mania, satirical reversals, and crushing devastation as we go on a journey with our “strange bedfellows."
"Strange Bedfellows"
Our lives are built around people, those we love, hate, desire, and fear. Our vital connection to one another shapes our world and life perspective.
The exploration of people as the centre of the universe, interacting with the pressing and ambivalent needs of one another, was a recurring theme in the work of Shakespeare and his contemporaries.
Our season brings together three plays exploring relationships brimming with love, sex, violence, sacrifice, and loyalty. We’ll delve into worlds of comic mania, satirical reversals, and crushing devastation as we go on a journey with our “strange bedfellows."
Troilus and Cressida, by William Shakespeare
January 29 to February 8, 2026, at The Theatre Centre Incubator
January 29 to February 8, 2026, at The Theatre Centre Incubator
Shakespeare’s compelling story of the Trojan War, told with a brilliant edge and satirical bite.
This rarely-performed play is a modern marvel that will test the boundaries of genre, and challenge audiences with its fascinating swerves and ambiguous treatment of love, honour, value, and war.
Featuring an all-star company, with multiple award winners and stars of the Stratford Festival, this mainstage production will introduce audiences to a dynamic and shocking play, rarely seen on stage.
Starring real-life couple Deivan Steele (Dora winner, St. Lawrence Shakespeare, MTYP) and Breanne Tice (Dora Nominee, St. Lawrence Shakespeare, Theatre Direct) as the titular lovers.
They are joined by BASH’d Co-Artistic Director Julia Nish-Lapidus (Dora Nominee, St. Lawrence Shakespeare) as the cynic Thersites, Geoffrey Armour (Blyth, Driftwood) as Pandarus, Stratford stars Austin Eckert, Jordin Hall, and Andrew Iles as Diomedes, Hector, and Achilles. BASH’d stalwarts Jennifer Dzialoszynski (Dora Nominee, Canadian Stage, Lighthouse), David Mackett (Citadel, Fly on the Wall), and Kate Martin (Dora Nominee, YPT) are Ulysses, Nestor/Priam, and Helen/Cassandra/Alexandra.
The cast is rounded out by Felix Beauchamp (Jessie Winner, Dora Nominee) as Patroclus, Isaiah Kolundzic (Guild, Foster Festival) as Agamemnon, Adriano Reis (Dora Nominee, ARC Stage, YES) as Ajax, Rianna Persaud (BASH’d, Bad Dog) as Aeneas, and Ben Yoganathan (Driftwood, Ruff, Howland Company) as Paris/Menelaus.
Under the direction of BASH’d Co-Artistic Director James Wallis, with fight direction by Jennifer Dzialoszynski, stage management by M Fera, sound design by Matt Nish-Lapidus, and associate director Kate Martin, this production will offer audiences an intimate experience of this rarely-produced play.
This rarely-performed play is a modern marvel that will test the boundaries of genre, and challenge audiences with its fascinating swerves and ambiguous treatment of love, honour, value, and war.
Featuring an all-star company, with multiple award winners and stars of the Stratford Festival, this mainstage production will introduce audiences to a dynamic and shocking play, rarely seen on stage.
Starring real-life couple Deivan Steele (Dora winner, St. Lawrence Shakespeare, MTYP) and Breanne Tice (Dora Nominee, St. Lawrence Shakespeare, Theatre Direct) as the titular lovers.
They are joined by BASH’d Co-Artistic Director Julia Nish-Lapidus (Dora Nominee, St. Lawrence Shakespeare) as the cynic Thersites, Geoffrey Armour (Blyth, Driftwood) as Pandarus, Stratford stars Austin Eckert, Jordin Hall, and Andrew Iles as Diomedes, Hector, and Achilles. BASH’d stalwarts Jennifer Dzialoszynski (Dora Nominee, Canadian Stage, Lighthouse), David Mackett (Citadel, Fly on the Wall), and Kate Martin (Dora Nominee, YPT) are Ulysses, Nestor/Priam, and Helen/Cassandra/Alexandra.
The cast is rounded out by Felix Beauchamp (Jessie Winner, Dora Nominee) as Patroclus, Isaiah Kolundzic (Guild, Foster Festival) as Agamemnon, Adriano Reis (Dora Nominee, ARC Stage, YES) as Ajax, Rianna Persaud (BASH’d, Bad Dog) as Aeneas, and Ben Yoganathan (Driftwood, Ruff, Howland Company) as Paris/Menelaus.
Under the direction of BASH’d Co-Artistic Director James Wallis, with fight direction by Jennifer Dzialoszynski, stage management by M Fera, sound design by Matt Nish-Lapidus, and associate director Kate Martin, this production will offer audiences an intimate experience of this rarely-produced play.
Women Beware Women, by Thomas Middleton
November 9, 2025, at the Monarch Tavern
a staged reading
November 9, 2025, at the Monarch Tavern
a staged reading
No writer is compared to Shakespeare more than Thomas Middleton. In our third exploration of Middleton’s work, we’ll delve into his nastiest exposure of a corrupt society.
The world of this play is one of dysfunctional relationships, ranging from unfit marriage to lovers who are actually family. All presided over by characters gaming one another for social status and favour with the malicious royal regime.
This maniacal play is filled with unscrupulous situations and passionate language, culminating one of the most surprisingly violent endings in the early modern period.
An all-star ensemble brings this story to life: James Graham (Dora Winner, Howland Company, Studio 180) is the Duke, Beck Lloyd (Stratford, Canadian Stage) is Livia, Veronica Hortiguela (Stratford, Tarragon) is Isabella, Morgan Roy (The Ensemble) is Bianca, Michael Man (Stratford, Shaw) is Hippolito, Jamie Mac (Stratford) is Leantio, Oliver Dennis (Soulpepper, Coalmine) as Guardiano, Eliza Martin (Carousel, Roseneath) is the Ward, Deborah Drakeford (ARC, Tarragon) as Widow, David Gingerich (BASH’d) as Fabritio, Paige Madsen (Panoply) as Sordido, and Cooper Bilton (Dora Nominee, Upper Canada Playhouse) is Lord Cardinal.
The world of this play is one of dysfunctional relationships, ranging from unfit marriage to lovers who are actually family. All presided over by characters gaming one another for social status and favour with the malicious royal regime.
This maniacal play is filled with unscrupulous situations and passionate language, culminating one of the most surprisingly violent endings in the early modern period.
An all-star ensemble brings this story to life: James Graham (Dora Winner, Howland Company, Studio 180) is the Duke, Beck Lloyd (Stratford, Canadian Stage) is Livia, Veronica Hortiguela (Stratford, Tarragon) is Isabella, Morgan Roy (The Ensemble) is Bianca, Michael Man (Stratford, Shaw) is Hippolito, Jamie Mac (Stratford) is Leantio, Oliver Dennis (Soulpepper, Coalmine) as Guardiano, Eliza Martin (Carousel, Roseneath) is the Ward, Deborah Drakeford (ARC, Tarragon) as Widow, David Gingerich (BASH’d) as Fabritio, Paige Madsen (Panoply) as Sordido, and Cooper Bilton (Dora Nominee, Upper Canada Playhouse) is Lord Cardinal.
Galatea, by John Lyly
March 29, 2026, at the Monarch Tavern
a staged reading
March 29, 2026, at the Monarch Tavern
a staged reading
A small village is under the thumb of the God Neptune resulting in plenty of strange occurrences: two shepherdesses, while disguised as boys to save their lives, fall in love, while odd characters romp around in pastoral delight, coming together in one of the most unique comedies in the canon.
This wild frolic in the woods is packed with amorous, confused, and hilarious situations that make up this early modern gem. BASH’d is thrilled to present John Lyly’s uber modern take on love, sexuality, and gender.
The incredible cast is made up of Sienna Singh (Panoply) and Diana Eremeeva (The Ensemble) take on the shepherdesses, with 郝邦宇 Steven Hao (Stratford) as Cupid, Navtej Sandhu (Mahabharata) as Diana, Emilio Vieira (Stratford) as Neptune, Kyle Claeys (A.C.T. Productions) as Rafe, Richard Alan Campbell (VideoCabaret, Driftwood) as Melibeus, Hope Goudsward (TYT) as Eurota/Hebe, Johnnie Lombard as Robin/Ramia, Katie Wise (YES) as Telusa/Venus, Kevin Hammond (Humber River Shakespeare) as Tityrus, and Rhys Bernier (Dora Nominee, Roseneath, TYT) as Dick/Peter.
This wild frolic in the woods is packed with amorous, confused, and hilarious situations that make up this early modern gem. BASH’d is thrilled to present John Lyly’s uber modern take on love, sexuality, and gender.
The incredible cast is made up of Sienna Singh (Panoply) and Diana Eremeeva (The Ensemble) take on the shepherdesses, with 郝邦宇 Steven Hao (Stratford) as Cupid, Navtej Sandhu (Mahabharata) as Diana, Emilio Vieira (Stratford) as Neptune, Kyle Claeys (A.C.T. Productions) as Rafe, Richard Alan Campbell (VideoCabaret, Driftwood) as Melibeus, Hope Goudsward (TYT) as Eurota/Hebe, Johnnie Lombard as Robin/Ramia, Katie Wise (YES) as Telusa/Venus, Kevin Hammond (Humber River Shakespeare) as Tityrus, and Rhys Bernier (Dora Nominee, Roseneath, TYT) as Dick/Peter.
In order to make this ambitious season the best it can be, we need your help!
We are working to crowdfund $5000 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 each season costs grow and 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 an 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. For various donor levels, there are great perks available, including tickets, Shakespeare BASH'd merch, our undying thanks and gratitude, and much more!
We are working to crowdfund $5000 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 each season costs grow and 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 an 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. For various donor levels, there are great perks available, including tickets, Shakespeare BASH'd merch, our undying thanks and gratitude, and much more!
Tickets for individual productions will be made available at a later date. Sign-up for our mailing list to be the first to know! Click here.
The company:
Julia Nish-Lapidus, Co-Founder & Co-Artistic Director
James Wallis, Co-Founder & Co-Artistic Director
Season artwork by Matt Nish-Lapidus.
James Wallis, Co-Founder & Co-Artistic Director
Season artwork by Matt Nish-Lapidus.