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Ready for romance, comedy, and mayhem? The Virginia Shakespeare Festival will kick off its 33rd season July 6 with William Shakespeare's comic masterpiece, "The Comedy of Errors" followed by "Hamlet."
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:
"The Comedy of Errors"
July 6-17
One of William Shakespeare's most famous comedies-- and certainly his most-family-friendly play-- "The Comedy of Errors" is a lively farce touching on mistaken identity, long-lost siblings, quirky characters, and of course, love. Even my son enjoyed this raucous comedy when he was seven (despite the Elizabethan language) so this is a good introduction to Shakespeare for kids!
"Hamlet"
July 21-31
Arguably Shakespeare's most famous tragedy (and certainly my favorite), "Hamlet" details why something has become "rotten in the state of Denmark" when Prince Hamlet returns home to find his father dead and his mother way-too-hastily married to his Hamlet's dear old uncle. Hamlet investigates and leaves behind a trail of ghosts, bodies, girlfriends, and more before the play comes to its shattering conclusion. It's not to be missed!
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 (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 - June 6: Tues-Fri, 10 am – 2 pm
June 7 - July 3: Tues-Sat, 10 am – 6 pm; Sundays, noon – 3 pm (closed Mondays)
July 5 to July 31: Tues, 10 am – 6 pm; Wed-Sat, 10 am – 8 pm; Sundays noon – 3 pm (closed Mondays)
Summer Camps
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 $210 per camper.
Both camps are currently sold out, but they are taking names on a waiting list, so it might be worth a try! For details, 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).
Before you go, make sure you check out our free guide, "Secrets to a Cheap Colonial Williamsburg Vacation".
Don't Miss the American Shakespeare Center Where They "Do It With the Lights On"
If you love Shakespeare, the Blackfriars Playhouse, home of the American Shakespeare Center, is our personal favorite place to see the Bard's plays.
To whet your appetite, here's an excerpt from our Blackfriars page:
"Think you’ve seen enough Shakespeare already? Not ‘til you’ve seen it played in the original language by actors wearing everything from go-go boots and fish costumes, to Panama hats and Hawaiian shirts."
Intrigued? Read the rest of our review-- including how to get in for less-- by going to our Blackfriars Playhouse page.
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