Shakespeare’s bloodiest and most relentless tragedy, staged in the rugged splendor of an old-growth forest at sunset.

Spurred on by his ambition, his wife’s dark urgings, and the tantalizing prophecies of the three Weird Sisters, Macbeth is set on a path to betrayal, murder, corruption, and guilt. In our immersive, promenade production, staged amid the soaring trees of the Fredericton Botanic Garden and Odell Park, you’ll follow—and be in the centre of—the action, rubbing shoulders with witches, ghosts, and murderers, as supernatural solicitings, more than bloody deeds, and epic battles happen all around you. Our Macbeth will be an experience not to be missed!

Show dates and times: Macbeth

Reduced price preview performance: Thursday, June 19.

Regular performances: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays, June 20-July 6 (June 20, 22, 25, 26, 27, 29, and July 2, 3, 4, and 6).

All performances begin at 7:30 PM in the Fredericton Botanic Garden, but patrons should arrive by 7:15 to make it to the play’s starting point on time, especially if purchasing tickets on site (more information on location and directions below).

Clothing for all weather possibilities, a blanket to sit on, a water bottle, and good walking shoes are recommended. Please note that this 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.

Run time: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes, including one intermission. Show length will vary depending on audience size.

Show dates and times: The Merry Wives of Windsor

Macbeth will run in repertory with our second production, The Merry Wives of Windsor.

Reduced price preview performance: June 17.

Regular performances: Opening night performance June 18; thereafter, Saturdays and Mondays, June 21, 23, 28, 30 and July 5 and 7.

All performances of The Merry Wives of Windsor begin at 8:00 PM, but patrons should arrive at Christ Church Cathedral by 7:50, especially if purchasing tickets on site.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets will be available at the door (cash preferred, but debit/credit purchase also available) at our box office near the starting point of the play (follow the signs on arrival), or can be purchased in advance online at

Bard in the Barracks

Ticket Prices:

Regular Performances

All tickets online* and at the door will be “choose your own” ticket price, with available options of:

$15 = Discounted Price–recommended for: Students, Seniors, Underwaged, those attending as part of a family group (of 4 or more), those attending both productions who have already purchased a Regular or Full Price ticket for The Merry Wives of Windsor.

$25 = Regular Price

$35 = Full Price (Patron/Supporter)—recommended for: those who would like to bundle their ticket purchase with a donation to help support the work of Bard in the Barracks. Comes with a package of commemorative 2025 season merchandise and 3 complimentary snack items (any combination of food or drinks) from our concession stand.

Children 9 and under: Free.

*A service fee of $1.50-$2.50 per ticket (depending on price category) will be added to all online purchases.

Please note that the above categories are not binding or exclusive. “Choose your price” means that you can choose a ticket tier that suits your budget, whether you’re working hard to make ends meet, or you’re a longtime Bard in the Barracks fan who’d like to support our work at a higher ticket price to help us make ends meet!

For those coming as a group (couples, families, a group of friends), feel free to choose tickets at different price points to reflect your budget as a group or as individuals.

And if you’re taking in both our plays this year (highly recommended!) feel free to mix and match ticket prices between the shows

Preview Performance (June 19):

All tickets for our June 19 preview performance will be Pay-What-You-Will (minimum price $5).

FAQ: What is a preview? It’s the final dress rehearsal for the play and first time with an audience for the show, allowing the cast and crew a chance to make final adjustments to the performance.

Audience numbers will be capped at 100 patrons nightly. For this reason, buying advance tickets or showing up early is advisable on fair weather nights in particular. However, if you’re willing to risk a little rain in return for a more intimate audience experience, coming on nights when the weather is a bit iffy (or any night earlier in our run) is a great idea.

Advance tickets purchased for rained-out performances can be used for subsequent shows or returned for refund. If rain forces the cancellation of a performance already in progress, audience members can return to a subsequent performance for free admittance, or can opt for a ticket refund if the stoppage occurs prior to halfway through the show. For more on our weather policy, see below.

What to Wear: Clothing that is appropriate for all weather possibilities and suitable for sitting on the ground. Dress in layers: though days may be warm, evenings can be cool, especially under the forest canopy. We highly recommend footwear that is some form of running shoe or hiking boot as opposed to sandals or flip-flops as the ground may be wet in some locations, and long sleeves and pants for protection from insects.

What to Bring: Raincoat and hat if threat of rain; a blanket, cushion, or small lightweight camp stool to sit on. Because action happens all around the audience, and you will be moving often between locations as well as sitting on uneven ground, lawnchairs are not very practical for this production and will be cumbersome to carry around, but may be brought if needed/desired. A small flashlight, or the flashlight on your phone, will come in handy after dark. Insect repellent for protection from mosquitoes and ticks is also advised.

What Not to Bring: Your dog. You love him; we probably would too. But audience members will be at close quarters, and for the safety and comfort of all involved, we ask that, barring service animals, you leave Rover at home. A lot of stuff. You’ll be moving around frequently during the show, so having a lot of backpacks, bags, (a full picnic) etc. to carry with you will get tiresome. And for the same reasons, your bike (we recommend locking it to a tree nearby).

Is it Suitable for Children? Macbeth features plenty of action to keep the younger set interested, but you are the best judge of your child’s interest in a full-length Shakespeare play. The play also contains scenes of violence and gore that may be frightening for children. And audience members may occasionally find themselves in close proximity to a witch or two….

Is the Show Accessible for Those with Physical Challenges? If your needs 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.

We invite and encourage patrons with accessibility needs to attend our production of The Merry Wives of Windsor, which is fully accessible and all takes place in a single location.

Please call or email us if you have questions. If you choose to attend the production but find that you are unable to do the walking involved, we will be happy to refund your ticket.

Show Location and Directions: The Fredericton Botanic Garden 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.

Our rainy weather policy and procedures: Every effort will be made to avoid cancelling the show. We cancel performances very rarely, and only in case of sustained rain or threat of thunderstorms at show time. Rain earlier in the day (unless of the torrential variety) will not cause show cancellations, but bring a blanket so you don’t have to sit on wet ground. The play will go ahead in case of intermittent light rain/drizzle, so audience members are encouraged to dress appropriately.

Because we try to avoid cancellations, decisions on whether to proceed with the show will sometimes not be made until quite close to show time (around 7 PM). Weather-related show updates will be sent out via X (follow us: @BardBarracks) and posted on this website.

In the event of rainouts on the final weekend of the show, an additional performance may be added to the run on Tuesday July 8. Check this site for updates. Better yet, come see the show early on to avoid final weekend rainout heartbreak!

Questions? Contact us at 506 458-7406 or message us on Facebook. Artistic Director Len Falkenstein can be reached at lfalken@unb.ca.

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