Below, 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 The Winter’s Tale in Odell Park is not promenade-style, with all the action taking place in a single location near the parking lot and Odell Park Lodge. Our second production, Love’s Labour’s Lost has a small promenade element, with scenes taking place at five different locations, but all are on the grounds of Christ Church Cathedral, so walks between them will be very short and easy.

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.

What to Bring: Raincoat and hat if threat of rain; a blanket or lawn chair to sit on. Insect repellent is also advisable, especially for The Winter’s Tale.

What Not to Bring: Your dog. You love them; 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: so as not to take up limited audience seating space, and because you will have to lug it around in the case of Love’s Labour’s Lost.

Are the Shows Suitable for Children? Both plays feature plenty of action and differing degrees of comedy and slapstick to keep the younger set interested, but you are the best judge of your child’s interest in a full-length Shakespeare play. Both plays contain moments involving sexual innuendo and The Winter’s Tale contains accusations of sexual infidelity, threats of violence, and reports of deaths, but none of those things accused, threatened, or reported take place onstage.

Are the Shows Accessible for Those with Physical Challenges?

The Winter’s Tale: The play takes place in a single spot in the lower part of the park near the parking lot and lodge. Audiences will have to cross a grassy but flat field to reach the stage location. Accessible washrooms are located nearby at Odell Park Lodge.

Love’s Labour’s Lost: The audience will move during the play to view scenes at five different locations, all within a short walk of each other, and all on the grounds of the Cathedral. Audience members will be seated on and walk across flat, grassy lawn for all of the scenes. An accessible washroom is available at the Cathedral Hall.

Show Location and Directions:

Christ Church Cathedral, our venue for Love’s Labour’s Lost is located at the corner of Church and Queen streets in Downtown Fredericton.

Odell Park, our venue for The Winter’s Tale, is located at the intersection of Rookwood Drive and Waggoner’s Lane.

Amenities at the Shows: A concession stand offering some simple snack items and beverages, available by donation, will be available before the show and at intermission. Public washroom and water fountains are within a short walk of both show locations.