1/7
South Langley
$35
July 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14
All performances at 7pm, Doors at 6pm
Langley City
FREE or By Donation - GA Seating
Reserved Seating $16
July 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28
All performances at 7pm, Doors at 6pm
A tragic but redemptive story that takes place across two time periods, The Winter's Tale chronicles the devastating effects of suspicion and jealousy upon a King and his kingdom, and 16 years later, his improbable vindication. When the good King Leontes suddenly suspects his best friend and his wife of infidelity, it throws his whole kingdom into chaos. After Leontes loses everything that he loves, he realizes that his choice to trust his own suspicion has destroyed his world. Across the sea in a world of wine, comedy, and love, Leontes’ lost daughter is trying to find her place in the world, and events are set in motion that will lead her home, and lead Leontes to an unexpected redemption.
DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE:
I've always been drawn to the comedic plays from the second half of Shakespeare’s career. It is notable that after completing his great tragedies, that the Bard’s later comedies are streaked with the same tragic brilliance that make Hamlet and Macbeth so memorable. This mixing of tragedy and comedy hints at both our great capacity to find humour in the darkness, and also Shakespeare’s understanding that comedy and tragedy are often separated by small but consequential choices. Romeo and Juliet could have been a comedy, if not for a sword fight in the streets, and The Winter’s Tale is very nearly an echo of King Lear, if not for King Leontes’ desire to grow and seek redemption.
This play is a structural curio, presenting a one-act tragedy followed by a one-act comedy. It gives us some of the most memorable comedic characters of all of Shakespeare’s career, and some truly strange and wonderous pieces of spectacle, with a bear in the woods, moments of magic, and intervention by the gods. It has dark dramatic scenes, brilliant speeches, and beautiful music, and is truly as diverse a play as any Shakespeare wrote, celebrated with an emotionally impactful ending. It has been such a joy to work on this messy masterpiece, and I can’t wait for us to share it with you all this summer.
Director, Dylan Coulter
Hermione / Dorcas
Madison (President of BIV board of Directors) is thrilled to be back on stage after a five year break - last appearing in A Midsummer Night's Dream 2019. Her most recent work was directing "Almost, Maine" in BIV's first winter production at the Fort Langley Hall. When not acting, Madison is also a proud mom and a proud teacher at Betty Gilbert Middle.
Leontes
This is Thomas’ second show with Bard in the Valley after appearing in 2022’s Measure for Measure. He is incredibly grateful to Dylan for the opportunity to play Leontes in this production. Other past credits include Mr. Green (Clue, TIC), VP Doug Panch (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, SC), Nephew Fred (A Christmas Carol, CLA).
Paulina / Mopsa
Daria Dolan is very excited to make her Shakespeare debut and is extremely grateful to Dylan for trusting her to bring the characters of Paulina and Mopsa to life. Besides theater, Daria narrates audiobooks in French and dips her toes in Film & TV. She would like to thank everyone involved in this beautiful production.
Mamillius / Oracle / Perdita
Joey Coleman is beyond excited to be dipping her toes back into the acting pool after her long hiatus from having her daughter. After receiving her Theatre degree at the University of Victoria, acting has always been a side hobby for her and she is thrilled to be able to continue that passion with Bard in the Valley. In her everyday mom life, she is a registered sign language interpreter working in the Surrey school district. Her previous theatre credits include: In Re: Radding vs Glazer and an understudy for Twelve Angry Jurors, both with Theatre in the Raw, who’s wonderful director recently passed. She would like to dedicate her performances in Bard in the Valley to Jay Hamburger, a fabulous director who gave her a chance after university and always encouraged her to be more.
Florizel / Servant
In his second appearance with Bard in The Valley, Kamil Uzmasson will embrace a romantic and spirited persona as he takes on the role of Florizel in BIV’s rendition of The Winter’s Tale. Delighted to reunite with a talented ensemble, Kamil eagerly anticipates sharing this iteration of the timeless tale with the audience.
Autolycus / Antigonus / Reporter
This is Misha’s 5th show with BIV, so he clearly loves what he’s doing. He’s excited and grateful to follow up his dream part of Malvolio in this year’s earlier production of Twelfth Night with yet another great show with an incredible cast! His additional credits with BIV include Nick Bottom (Midsummer Night’s Dream), Don Pedro (Much Ado About Nothing) and Vincentio/Philipp/Haberdasher (The Taming of the Shrew).
Lord / Young Shepherd
Mary Jane "M.J." Arden is thrilled to work with Bard in the Valley again, previously appearing as Duke Orsino (Twelfth Night) and Provost/Juliet (Measure for Measure). Ever since she was young, Shakespeare has been one of her favorite playwrights to perform. You may have seen M.J. in other roles such as Siri (The Snow Queen; RCTC), Kathy (9 to 5; Fraser Valley Stage), or Beth/Lyra (Once Upon a Fairytale; Capricorn Theatre Prod). Hope you enjoy the show!
Emilia / Old Shepherd
Emily is excited to be back on stage with BIV for the second time in one year after a four year acting hiatus. Having done many endeavours on and off stage with BIV Emily is excited to be acting again under the direction of Dylan Coulter, who happened to cast her in her first Shakespeare production back in 2017. This production has been a joy to work on and she is so excited to be working with new and old faces.
Camillo / Jailer / Reporter
Jonathan Friesen (known to some as ”Sharky”) was overjoyed by the puppet antics of Bard in the Valley’s Shakespeare show last summer (Cymbeline), so he is excited to be back for another show. He's also looking forward to seeing his own kids in more shows as they try out theatre classes and camps. Jonathan also works as a daycare teacher with the YMCA, and would like to thank Bard in the Valley again for the puppets as they will come in handy for working with kids! .
Polixenes / Reporter
Joel is positively moved to make his Shakespeare debut with Bard in the Valley, and in his first acting role since 2017. Select credits include: Lighting Designer for “Shared Space” (Bramble, 2024), Co-Director for “30 Neo-Futurist Plays” at Vancouver Fringe (Bramble, 2022), Mr. McQueen in Urinetown (UBC Place Vanier, 2017). Joel is a graduate of UBC, having studied Theatre, Math, and Education. Enjoy the show!
Assistant Director / Stage Manager
Max is so pleased to be back with Bard in the Valley for the third season in a row stage managing (Measure for Measure; Cymbeline), this time also joining as Assistant Director. Originally from Langley, Max is currently attending York University for Devised Theatre, hoping to pursue further education for teaching. An actor, stage manager, devisor, playwright, and director, Max has been so pleased to be working with this talented cast and crew, and is excited for everyone to see the show!
Young Shepherd, Lord -- MJ Arden
Perdita, Oracle, Time, Mamillius -- Joey Coleman
Paulina, Mopsa -- Daria Dolan
Camillo, Jailer, Reporter -- Jonathan “Sharky” Friesen
Autolycus, Antigonus, Reporter -- Michael “Misha” Kobiliansky
Old Shepherd, Emilia, Servant -- Emily MacKinnon
Hermione, Dorcas -- Madison McArthur
Leontes -- Thomas Smith
Polixenes, Reporter -- Joel Stadie
Florizel, Servant -- Kamil Uzmason
Director - Dylan Coulter
Assistant Director / Stage Manager - Maxwell Cowan
Producer - Brad Hendy
Production Manager - Bryan Cutler
Assistant Stage Manager - Anika Luteijn
Vocal Coach - Madison McArthur
Media & Communications - Bryan Cutler
Intimacy Coach - Phay Moores
Costume Design - Natasha Purnell
Lighting Design - Dylan Coulter
Sound Tech - Dean Jensen
Set Design - Dylan Coulter & Kamil Uzmason
Set Painting - David Sandquist
Props & Set Decoration - Pam Rochon
Bear Design - Eli Moore
Front of House Supervisor - Brad Hendy
Promotions Coordinator - Cadence Davies
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BIV performs, rehearses, & gathers on the unceded lands of the Kwantlen, Katzie, Matsqui, Semiahmoo & Sumas First nations