Rotten in the State of Denmark

Hanna

 As a Pisces Rising with a Venti Colgate Moon, Elyse has elf dreams on a hobbit budget, and WILL show you pictures of her cat at even the slightest provocation. Elyse is thrilled to be back on the BIV stage, her last show being Julius Caesar, and she’s so grateful that that experience directing her did not put Darcy off casting her again (with minimal bribery!). While she now spends much of her time working in film/television and voiceover for animation, Elyse is elated to return to her first acting love: the theatre. She’d like to thank you for supporting the arts, and hopes you enjoy the show!

Horatio

Test technician by day and tabletop gamer by night, Nikola shares his love for explosions and all things nerdy with his affinity for the stage. He is thrilled to return to Bard in the Valley with this exciting project, his last production with BIV being The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged back in 2020. Some of his favorite previous theatrical experiences you might have seen him in include Catch Me If You Can (Theatre in the Country, 2022) and Jesus Christ Superstar (Newbury Art Concepts, 2023). Thank you for coming out and showing your support! Enjoy!

 Gertrude

Mandy is overjoyed to be back on stage for BIV.  The last time you have seen her on stage for the company would have been as Titania in Midsummer Nights Dream.  Although that seems like a lifetime ago, she has been volunteering on the board and doing various jobs since 2020.  The first time this play was read was over a zoom call during lockdown and through Darcy’s hard work and dedication, it will finally be presented for the first time on stage. Mandy is delighted to be able to work with this amazing group of people to bring this special script to the stage. What a thrilling ride!

Claude

Thomas is delighted to be back on stage after a 2-year hiatus. This is his first show with Bard in the Valley and he can’t wait. “Recent” theatre credits include Shakespeare in Love (Theatre in the Country, 2022), Clue (Theatre in the Country, 2021), How the Other Half Loves (White Rock Players, 2020), Romeo and Juliet (Beach House Theatre, 2019), Rumors (BHT, 2018), Incident at Vichy (Peninsula Productions, 2017) The Heart of Robin Hood (BHT, 2017), The Graduate (WRPC, 2017).

Phillip

Tyler has been active in the theatre from a young age, most recently onstage as Amadeus Mozart in Theatre in the Country’s production of Amadeus. Previous favourite roles include: performing “In the Heights”  (Lindbjerg Academy), Fiddler on the Roof (TIC), and originating a role in “How to Survive the Apocalypse Without Really Dying” (Langley Little Theatre in conjunction with the Siloam Festival). Off stage, Tyler is an avid nerd, enjoying Magic: the Gathering, D&D, and other TTRPG, as well as adding to his vast collection of board games. He would like to thank you, the audience, as without you there would be no show (just a bunch of weird people in a room lookin' real strange). He hopes you enjoy the show!

Linus
 The Bard is a goldsmith of words who has penned phrases that have echoed through the lives of many. Such as “To thy own self be true” which led David off the football field and into the limelight. He has tackled many roles, including such performances as The Importance of Being Earnest, The Catering Queen, and Under Milk Wood. He is beyond grateful to be a part of this production and is excited to help bring this emotional journey to life. 

 Rosie/ Brassavio

Since bursting onto the scene at the tender age of four, Alysia VanDusen has been caught in the “slings and arrows” of outrageous theatre fortune. Most recently seen wrestling with modern-day existentialism in Peninsula Productions’ Leisure Society, Alysia has also honed her craft in shows such as 52 Pickup (New Vintage Theatre), Tier Two Heroes (Siloam Festival), and an assortment of vocal roles. To be on stage or not to be? For Alysia, the answer is always a resounding "yes!"

Paul/Oscar Dolphe

Stephen’s passion for acting began as a boy performing in Oliver! He was in school productions until1983 when he played Hamlet through the Arts Club Theatre summer program. He trained at the Vancouver Playhouse Acting School and appeared in commercials, TV and live theatre in Canada before moving to Australia. While there he performed as Berowne in Love’s Labour’s Lost as well as several short films. After returning to Canada in 2020 he has been very active in the film, TV and theatre world. This is his first time with Bard in the Valley and he’s looking forward to playing with his fellow actors and hopes you all enjoy the show. 

Guildford/ Fortin/ Cutler

Vanessa is a Poco based creator and first-time performer with BIV! She is thrilled to join this talented team and can’t wait to share her love of both Bard and valleys. Vanessa is a graduate of Concordia University where they received their BFA in Performance Creation, giving them an appreciation for all aspects of theatre from performing, directing, and stage managing, sometimes all at the same time! When not on stage, Vanessa can be found cooking up pizzas in your local parlour or putting on puppet shows in her bedroom. Enjoy the show! 

Wiggle/ Markita

Paulina Franco is excited to be part of Bard in the Valley for the first time! Having recently completed the specialized acting in Film and Television program at Vancouver Film School and have three years of theater training from Mexico City. She has had the opportunity to work on several film productions and commercials, and is thrilled to bring her passion to the performance, to the stage, and work with this incredible team.

Shady Moon/Ghost

Once every fifteen thousand minutes, somewhere in the world, a science nerd briefly leaves his lab in search of pizza and ends up getting lost and ending up on a stage reciting lines in front of an audience. Kaden is one such nerd. Rumored to have been seen in recent productions such as Cinderella The Panto (RCTC), the Addams Family (FVMT), 9 t o 5 (FVS), Sleeping Beauty The Panto (FVMT), and Anything Goes (FVMT), some speculate this creature's natural habitat may be expanding beyond his soldering station. After his recent passing, Kaden feared his theatre days were over. However, conscious of his challenges among the recently deceased, BIV has offered him this once-in-an-afterlifetime opportunity to revisit the stage from the other side. Kaden is thrilled for the opportunity to be a part of this exceptional team!

Pike/Barney

Tucker found his love for acting and performing at a very young age. He started attending local classes and from there he began participating in numerous local theatre and musical productions. In 2014 Tucker landed a role in the YTV series Max and Shred,  as well as a few commercials and movies in the following years.  He decided to then make the trip out west to study at Vancouver Film School, graduating in Acting for Film and television. Tucker’s recent credits include “Lucky Hank” (AMC, 2023) and “Checkin’ it twice” (Hallmark, 2023)