
The arrival of summer means different things to many Ontarians. With vacation time looming, a favourite pastime of residents of Ontario is to take in a live theatre performance of the plays of Shakespeare.
Stratford, Ontario is only an-hour-and-a-half west of Toronto, and holds first-class performances of Shakespeare at its world-renown, Stratford Shakespeare Festival. For those not wanting to venture as far away from home, Toronto has several outdoor Shakespeare productions, the most notable being the annual Dream in High Park.
Stratford Shakespeare Festival 2012
This year, the Stratford Festival is performing three Shakespeare plays during their 2012 season. Tickets are $50.01, $55.01, $65.01, $75.01, $85.01 and $95.01. Dates that are indicated before the opening night are for preview performances:
- Much Ado About Nothing runs from April 26 to October 27, 2012 (opening night is May 28) and is staged at the Festival’s main theatre, the Festival Theatre.
- Cymbeline stars Geraint Wyn Davies as Cymbeline, and runs from May 10 to September 30, 2012 (opens May 31) at the Tom Patterson Theatre.
- Henry V will be performed at the Festival Theatre from June 24 to Sept. 29, 2012 (opening night is July 13).
A Dream in High Park 2012

A favourite outdoor theatre experience with Toronto residents, Canadian Stage’s Shakespeare in High Park performs A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The comedy runs from June 26 to Sept. 2, 2012 with performances Tues. to Sun. at 8 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. Tickets are PWYC with a suggested minimum of $20 for Adults, Children 14 and under Free. Enter High Park from Bloor Street, follow the road to Grenadier Cafe, then continue east on the foot path opposite the parking lot marked by a sign.
Shakespeare at Hart House 2012
The UC Follies Theatre Company will perform Shakespeare’s problem play, Troilus and Cressida, on the east side of Hart House Circle, just south of Hart House at the University of Toronto. Bring your own blanket for this outdoor performance and watch the UC Follies production from July 18 to July 28, 2012 with performances Wed. to Sat. at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for this Shakespeare performance at Hart House Circle are Adults $10 and Students and Seniors $8. Wednesday performances are pay-what-you-can, with a recommended donation of $8.
Is there theatre at Philopspher’s Walk this year? Your website implies “yes”, but the Canopy Theatre implies “no”?
Hi Patty, Sorry, I had an error in my article. There is no performance at Philosopher’s Stage in 2012; however, there is a Shakespeare performance of Troilus and Cressida at Hart House Circle at U of T. I’ve updated my article. Thanks! Lori
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