A miscellany of important things to know about our plays.

Our performances are full-length Shakespeare productions that take place in the great outdoors, without a roof. They are site-specific, and often are promenade-style shows, which means that the play doesn’t take place in a single spot, but in multiple locations, with the audience moving between scenes and immersed in the action, which takes place all around them.

Note: this year’s production of Macbeth is promenade-style, but The Merry Wives of Windsor is not. The Merry Wives will be staged as a conventional theatre production on a purpose-built stage on the grounds of Christ Church Cathedral, with the audience seated in one spot throughout the show, and no walking between scenes required–with the exception of one very short move at the end of the show.

Our outdoor settings and promenade staging are a lot of the fun of coming to a Bard in the Barracks performance, but you might want to bear a few things in mind:

What to Wear: Clothing that is appropriate for all weather possibilities and suitable for sitting on the ground (if you choose to do so). Dress in layers: though days may be warm, evenings can still be cool. We recommend good walking shoes for Macbeth as audiences will be walking frequently between scene locations, over some varied and rugged forest trails.

What to Bring: Raincoat and hat if threat of rain; a blanket or cushion (recommended for Macbeth), or lawnchair (recommended for The Merry Wives of Windsor) to sit on. Insect repellent is also advisable, especially for Macbeth.

What Not to Bring: Your dog. You love him; we probably would too. But audience members will be at close quarters, so for the safety and comfort of all involved, with the exception of service animals, we ask you to leave Rover at home. A lot of stuff. You’ll be moving around frequently during the show (for Romeo and Juliet), so having a lot of backpacks, bags, etc. to carry with you will get tiresome.

Are the Shows Suitable for Children? The Merry Wives of Windsor features plenty of comedy, action, and slapstick to keep the younger set interested, and Macbeth has no shortage of action too, but you are the best judge of your child’s interest in a full-length Shakespeare play. Macbeth contains scenes of violence and gore that may be frightening for children and will feature close encounters between audience members and some cast members (including witches…) Both plays also contain some mild sexual innuendo. 

Are the Shows Accessible for Those with Physical Challenges? Yes, in the case of The Merry Wives of Windsor.

In the case of Macbeth, if you require a wheelchair, mobility scooter, or crutches, probably not. The play is a promenade-style production, with audiences following the action between scenes through the Botanic Garden, which is located on a hillside. As noted earlier, the production involves short hikes through the woods over some varied (and root-covered) terrain, including some semi-steep uphill and downhill sections. If you are comfortable going on moderately challenging hiking trails, you will have no problem with what the show requires.
 

Show Location and Directions:

Christ Church Cathedral, our venue for The Merry Wives of Windsor is located at the corner of Church and Queen streets in Downtown Fredericton.

The Fredericton Botanic Garden, our location for Macbeth, is a large green space located in the southwest corner of Odell Park. The Garden has two entrances, on Prospect Street and Cameron Court. We ask that all patrons driving to the Garden use the entrance and parking lot at 695 Prospect Street (between Smythe and Hanwell), which is the closest entrance to the play’s starting point. Follow the signs from the parking lot to our starting point.

Walking or Biking: For those biking or on foot, the Garden can also be reached via the trails in Odell Park.

Amenities at the Garden: There are no restaurant facilities or water fountain at the Botanic Garden, so show-goers might want to bring your own snacks and drinks. A concession stand offering some simple snack items and beverages, available by donation, will be available before the show and at intermission. There are no public washrooms at the Garden, but porta-potties will be available for audience members.