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Ready for romance, comedy, and mayhem? The Virginia Shakespeare Festival will kick off its 32nd season July 7 with William Shakespeare's comic masterpiece, "As You Like It."
The Festival continues a long history of Shakespeare in Williamsburg. In fact, Williamsburg was the first place that Shakespeare's plays were professionally presented in the New World. It all started in 1753, when the Hallam troupe of London arrived to present The Merchant of Venice here.
To honor this illustrious past, the College of William and Mary created the Festival, which presents two of more of the Bard's plays each summer. All performances are held in Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall on the William and Mary campus.
To access a Google map of the hall, click here.
Here's the current schedule:
"As You Like It"
July 7-18
One of William Shakespeare's most famous comedies, "As You Like It" chronicles the follies of mistaken identity. As VSF website explains "Cousins Rosalind and Celia take off to the Forest of Arden, in search of the wrongfully banished Duke and his group of merry men. Rosalind's disguise as a boy may help keep them safe but also will prove an interesting obstacle to wooing the handsome Orlando."
"A Man for All Seasons"
July 22-August 1
Robert Bolt's masterful and classic play about Sir Thomas More, and his crisis of conscience in opposition to the marriage of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn in 16th century England. The original play was the winner of several Tony Awards on Broadway, and three Academy Awards for the film version.
Virginia Shakespeare Festival Tickets
Good news! Ticket prices have actually stayed the same as last year (good to know something hasn't gone up!). Subscriptions are $40 for both plays. Single tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students, and $10 for children. The group rate I(for 20 or more pre-paid tickets) is $20 each.
You can reserve tickets by phone, or through their website.
Box office hours are as follows:
January 21 to June 6: Tues-Fri, 10 am – 2 pm
June 8 to July 6: Tues-Sat, 10 am – 6 pm; Sun, noon – 3pm (closed Mon)
July 7 to August 1: Tues, 10 am – 6 pm; Wed-Sat, 10 am – 8 pm; Sun, noon – 3pm (closed Mon)
They also offer summer camps for students ages 9-17. Students will study Shakespeare's language, the choreography of stage combat, and period costuming. Camps last one week and finish with an abridged version of a comedy. The cost is $170 per camper.
Dates are:
* July 19 - 23 (ages 9-11)
* July 26 - 30 (ages 12-14)
* August 2 - 6 (ages 14-17)
Camp dates fill up fast, so hurry and call 757-221-2683.
Virginia Shakespeare Festival phone number: 757-221-2674
Virginia Shakespeare Festival Website: http://www.wm.edu/vsf/
While in Williamsburg, why not visit the Historic Area? We've listed our top five favorite spots at Colonial Williamsburg (as well as the spot you should skip). Befor you go, make sure you check out our free guide, "Secrets to a Cheap Colonial Williamsburg Vacation".
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