Image: L. Gomes/ PML / Bard in the Valley (BIV) was in Abbotsford this weekend (Aug. 4 – 7), performing William Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure.

By Laurice Gomes

Shakespeare in the park

Bard in the Valley put on four successful shows of Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure in Abbotsford

Aug 7, 2022 | 6:10 PM

ABBOTSFORD — Bard in the Valley (BIV) was in Abbotsford this week (Aug. 4–7), performing William Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure.

Brad Hendy, producer for the charitable theatre company, was pleased with the turnout for all four days at the venue, EcoDairy, and said the company has had two successful years in Abbotsford.

“Last year was two sold-out shows,” Hendy said. “And this year we ran four shows over the week and had a very successful subscription to our ticket sales.”

Image: L. Gomes / PML / Brad Hendy is the producer for Bard in the Valley (BIV).

BIV’s Measure for Measure is directed by Emily McKinnon and explored themes of justice and forgiveness, mixing elements of comedy and drama.

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The show was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, and BIV couldn’t produce a full show in 2021 because of uncertainty around COVID-19 restrictions.

“We had produced another show that only had three actors in it,” the producer said. “This show in particular has nine actors, and that doesn’t include the 20 or so crew that are all involved.”

Hendy remarked that a hiccup the theatre company had to navigate was when all the cast got COVID at some point during the rehearsal stages.

“And it made doing rehearsals so hard,” he remarked. “We had some of the cast that had never even seen each other because everybody had been off at different periods of time.”

Image: L. Gomes / PML / The team setting up before Sunday’s show.

Nonetheless, the dedicated team prevailed, and they were able to see the production through.

Hendy said proudly, “We were still able to come up with a very beautiful production of Measure for Measure.” He added that the venue for the production contributed to the ambience of the show.

“The venue speaks for itself, and watching Shakespeare in this venue has created such a very nice atmosphere,” he said. “You get to sit in chairs under a tent, and there’s wine and beer, and there’s also food there. So, it’s just a great venue and a great show for the people of Abbotsford.”

BIV is a travelling theatre company, with Abbotsford being the third and final stop for Measure for Measure this year.