Theatre Masks by Steve Snodgrass

Vancouver has enough theatres to cover every night of the month. With more than 50 venues and theatres, Vancouver offers one of the most thriving theatrical experiences in Canada. Here is a selection of some of the most eye-catching options.

Theatre Under the Stars

TUTS

Malking Bowl in Stanley Park has been hosting this musical theatre for 65 seasons. This year’s summer season at Theatre Under the Stars offers two critically acclaimed plays: “Bye Bye Birdie,” written by Michael Stewart with music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Lee Adams, and “Anything Goes,” written by P.G. Wodehouse, Guy Bolton, Russell Crouse, and Howard Lindsay, featuring music by Cole Porter. Colin Thomas from Georgia Straight commented: “Anything Goes is the handsomest and funniest show I’ve ever seen at Theatre Under the Stars. It rained on opening night, but I didn’t care. I left Malkin Bowl a happy, happy man.” Performances run nightly until August 20th. Every show starts at 8:00 P.M., except for the fireworks night, when they start is at 7:00 P.M.

The Arts Club Theatre Company

Stanley Theatre by Richard Eriksson

This year’s summer with the Arts Club Theatre Company features three locations: the Granville Island stage, the New Revue Stage, and Stanley Industrial Alliance stage. The latter offers many places where you can go for dinner walking distance from the stage. There are also quite a few galleries where you can make you artistic experience complete, such as Javana Contemporary Art Gallery, Diane Farris Gallery, Monte Clack Gallery, and many more.

The Gateway Theatre Society

Gateway Theatre

This theatre company produces six plays on its Main Stage and two World Premiere productions in its Studio Series. The Society introduces plays like Steel Magnolias, Mary’s Wedding, The Sound of Music, Tempting Providence, KISMET one to one hundred, and All Shook Up. As always, it’s hosting the annual Pacific Piano Competition as well as the Gateway Academy for Performing Arts with acting, musical theatre, and dancing courses. If you’re interested, call (604) 247-4975 for more information on the Academy.

Metro Theatre

Metro Theatre

Its 42nd year of performing arts made this non-professional theatre company one of the best in the country. They offer well prepared and enthusiastic actors, interesting directors, and surprisingly qualified technical support. The theatre offers a newsletter to keep you updated, so if you want to have all the news delivered, just write to and order the regular update.

Bard on the Beach

Bard on the Beach by Irene Kehler

Bard on the Beach is the biggest and most attended professional Shakespeare non-profit festivals in Western Canada. Its 22nd season is traditionally taking place in Vancouver’s Vanier Park, the ideal combination of sky, mountains, and beautiful sea. The plays are performed in Bard village on two stages: the Douglas Campbell Studio Stage, which can accomodate up to 240 visitors, and the brand new Mainstage Tent with 742 seats. The village also offers educational events and, of course, bar services. This all under the patronage of artistic director and founder of festival, Christopher Gaze.