Most of us were first introduced to Shakespeare in our high school English classes. Stuck on a cold plastic chair, reading words that sound like gibberish only to get a D- on your final paper. But the Freewill Shakespeare Festival is far different from those early experiences.
Born in 1989, it began as a passion project for Shakespeare-lovers, and over 35 years later it continues to be one of Edmonton’s most iconic summer festivals. Like many events, its home in Hawrelak Park has moved due to renovations.
The Freewill Shakespeare Festival is a modern take on the 16th century works while still honouring the traditional elements of the stories that seasoned thespians know and love and that beginners will appreciate.
“Shakespeare has been around for a long time, the plays are very resilient, (the festival) is going to continue,” says David Horak, artistic director of the festival. “It’s just a question of what does that look like?”
At its new location in Louise Mckinney Riverfront Park, you’ll find festival-goers set up with their chairs and picnic blankets alongside beer gardens and food trucks. You may even find audience members decked out in costumes, with some who bring their own copies of the play to follow along word for word. But you don’t have to be a theatre fanatic or well-versed (no pun intended) in Shakespeare to enjoy the festival.
“Shakespeare wrote his plays to satisfy the whole range of an audience. So we keep the high pollutant poetry, but we also make sure it’s really funny and contemporary.”
This year’s performance, As You Like It, keeps the traditional themes and characters alongside new elements, like the original songs the creative team wrote that have “techno and dance beats.”
“We’ve taken the lyrics that Shakespeare has put down in the play, and we’ve come up with (original) music,” Horak says.
This is all part of the festival’s aim to not only make Shakespeare understandable and accessible, but also available for all ages — kids included. Horak recalls kids enjoying the puppets and magic of last year’s performance of The Tempest.
Taking place outdoors, sometimes nature becomes part of the performance. Horak remembers being an actor in the festival’s 2013 production of King Lear where a storm began to loom in the park. Instead of ruining it, the lightning and thunder added to the visuals and sounds of the play’s final scene.
“Mother Nature is our sound or lighting designer if there’s a storm brewing. And we kind of play with the outdoor elements as well,” he says.
The best part? You can dress up (or not), grab a beer and some popcorn, and watch a story about love and identity. Although, you may end up stopping to buy a copy of The Complete Works of Shakespeare on your way home to follow along for next year.
Bring your own chair or blanket to get the best seats at this year’s festival, running from June 27 to July 20.
