PRE-SHOW
EVENTS
SPECIAL
This year our special events will have a little something for everyone, from our Wine and Cheese Tasting to Family Programming we have many events to compliment our two main-stage productions. This page will showcase each of our pre-show events and pre-show special food options.
For more information about our new post-show events, please click here
PRE-SHOW EVENTS
FAMILY PROGRAMMING
PERFORMING ON
Aug. 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 @ 7:15pm
Aug. 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27, Sept. 2, 3 @ 1:15pm
Enjoy an interactive pre-show performance by Malachite Theatre. William Shakespeare needs your help to fight a severe bout of writer's block! The audience will help actors uncover famous lines and scenes from the play, sketching the outline of Olivia and Romeo's stories before the playwright, inspiration rekindled, sends you off to experience the main event.
FREE TO ATTEND WHEN YOU PURCHASE A TICKET TO ROMEO AND JULIET OR TWELFTH NIGHT
BUSKERS
VARIOUS DATES IN AUGUST 8 - SEPTEMBER 3 AT 6:30 PM
Talented buskers entertain the pre-show audience with music, magic, and comedy. Come down early to grab a snack (or your ore-ordered Date Night box) and enjoy one of our talented buskers performing in the Spiegeltent.
FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY
WITH EL MARO MARO TAQUERÍA
AUGUST 25 AT 6:30 PM
Celebrate Friday night with El Mero Mero Taquería Food Truck, serving mouthwatering authentic Mexican tacos before the performance of Romeo & Juliet at 8pm.
FREE TO ATTEND
LET'S TALK SHAKESPEARE
TWELFTH NIGHT WITH CAROLYN SALE
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30 AT 6:15 PM
Join Carolyn Sale, an associate professor of the Department of English & Film Studies at the University of Alberta, as we talk about Viola's cross-dressing, the Renaissance "one-sex" model, and Maria's letter: Five things to know about Twelfth Night before watching the evening's performance. There will be 20-30 minutes allocated for questions from the audience with Carolyn Sale and David Horak (Artistic Director for Freewill).
Both Let's Talk Shakespeare events will offer free tea, supplied by Acquired Taste.
ADMISSION IS PAY-WHAT-YOU-WILL
PRE-SHOW FOOD
(the options below are on-top of our standard concession items. i.e. popcorn, cookies, ice cream, etc.)
DATE NIGHT - DINNER FOR 2!
EVERY THURSDAY, FRIDAY, AND SATURDAY EVENING
Come to the Spiegel-garden early and enjoy a gourmet charcuterie box for two! Handcrafted with local meats, cheeses, chips, fruits, sauces and veggies by Partake! One Date Night ticket comes with 2 glasses of champagne!
**All baskets need to be ordered by Wednesday each week. I.e if you order a picnic box for Saturday, your order needs to be in by the Wednesday of that week.**
Please note:
-
A Date Night ticket does not include your ticket to the performance that evening.
-
The date of your performance tickets must match the Date Night ticket order.
We can accommodate any dietary restriction.
PICK UP YOUR BASKET AT 6:30PM FROM OUR CONCESSIONS TENT
BRUNCH BOX FOR 2
EVERY SUNDAY MATINEE
Come to the Spiegel-garden early and enjoy a gourmet charcuterie brunch box for two! Handcrafted with local pastries, meats, cheeses, fruits, and veggies by Partake! One Brunch Box order comes with 2 glasses of mimosas!
**All boxes need to be ordered by Wednesday each week. I.e if you order a brunch box for Sunday, your order needs to be in by the Wednesday of that week.**
Please note:
A Brunch Box ticket does not include your ticket to the performance that evening.
The date of your performance tickets must match the date of the Brunch Box order.
We can accommodate any dietary restriction.
PICK UP YOUR BASKET AT 12:30PM FROM OUR CONCESSIONS TENT
BEER AND BRISKET
BEER PROVIDED BY ALLEY KAT BREWING AND BRISKET BY VICTORIA FANCY SAUSAGE
Join us for an unforgettable evening of mouthwatering flavours and delectable brews at our exclusive Beer and Brisket Event, proudly presented by Alley Kat Brewing and Victoria's Fancy Sausage!
Beers by Alley Kat Brewing
Prepare your taste buds for a delightful journey through the world of craft beer as Alley Kat Brewing takes centre stage. Experience a carefully curated selection of their finest beers, each one artfully crafted to delight beer enthusiasts of all palates.
Victoria’s Fancy Sausage Brisket Sandwiches
Savour the irresistible aroma of locally smoked brisket, skillfully prepared by the talented chefs at Victoria's Fancy Sausage. These mouthwatering brisket sandwiches are a true treat for meat lovers, featuring tender, smoky brisket complemented by a medley of flavours that will leave you craving for more.
Tickets are limited for this extraordinary Beer and Brisket event, so make sure to secure your spot early.
Note: All attendees must be of legal drinking age to participate in the beer tasting portion of the event. Please drink responsibly.
EVENT IS ON AUGUST 27 FROM 6-7 PM IN THE CRISTAL PALACE SPIGELTENT
PAST EVENTS
WINE AND CHEESE TASTING
WINE PROVIDED BY VINOMANIA AND CHEESE BY LAKESIDE CHEESE
Indulge your senses in an exquisite evening of sophistication and flavour as we bring you a harmonious pairing of Lakeside Cheese and Vinomania wines. Prepare your palate for a journey through the finest cheese selections, expertly crafted by Lakeside Cheese, and delight in a carefully curated selection of exceptional wines from the Vinomania Consulting.
Our sommeliers and cheese experts will be on hand to guide you through each tasting, sharing their knowledge and passion for these culinary treasures. Learn about the origins, production techniques, and ideal pairings, gaining valuable insights that will elevate your wine and cheese appreciation.
Set inside the Cristal Palace Spiegeltent, the venue will enhance your tasting experience, creating the perfect backdrop for an evening of sophistication and camaraderie with fellow wine and cheese enthusiasts.
Tickets are limited for this event, so make sure to secure your spot early.
Note: All attendees must be of legal drinking age to participate in the wine tasting portion of the event. Please drink responsibly.
EVENT IS ON AUGUST 16 FROM 6-7 PM IN THE CRISTAL PALACE SPIEGELTENT
FREE(WILL)
FOR ALL'S
AUGUST 18, 19, & 20 AT 7:30PM
Looking for more theatre to see this August? Enjoy pre-show entertainment by artists performing at the Fringe Festival this year. Each artist will have the opportunity to perform a quick excerpt to pitch their show.
FREE TO ATTEND WHEN YOU PURCHASE A TICKET TO ROMEO AND JULIET OR TWELFTH NIGHT
LET'S TALK SHAKESPEARE
ROMEO AND JULIET WITH MICHAEL CLARK
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23 at 6:15 PM
Join us for a conversation between two directors. The Artistic Director of Freewill, David Horak, will be in conversation with Michael Clark, who recently directed Henry 4, Part 1 for Red Deer's Bard on the Bower. We will examine how to stage Shakespeare's metaphors and poetic language. How do we take these ideas that are embedded in the text and translate them on to the stage?
Both Let's Talk Shakespeare events will offer free tea, supplied by Acquired Taste.
ADMISSION IS PAY-WHAT-YOU-WILL
BIKE TO THE BARD
AUGUST 17TH AT 6:30PM
Join Paths for People on an easy, friendly group ride from Paul Kane Park in Oliver to a special performance of Romeo and Juliet at the Freewill Shakespeare on Thursday, August 17, 2023.
The ride itself is free and open to all, and open to all on bikes, scooters, and similar, including e-bikes, electric unicycles, etc.
All participants will get an exclusive discount for a ticket to see Romeo and Juliet just for joining the ride. Click the button below for more details!