Bard in the Valley at Douglas Park

Bard in the Valley is a non-profit theatre company that puts on Shakespearean-themed plays in the summer. They run youth theatre camps as well.

The quality of the performances is high. Some of their shows are either free or by donation!

The 2027 Bard in the Valley season begins in January with a production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] (Again) in Langley at Creekside Hall. In the summer there are ticketed shows in June and July at Township 7 Winery. Free shows also happen in Downtown Langley at Douglas Park in July.

To learn about the theatre and its shows, continue reading or visit bardinthevalley.com.

OTHER EVENTS IN LANGLEY CITY

Bard in the Valley isn’t the only event to take place in Langley. Other events in the summer at Douglas Park include Langley Community Day, the Langley Community Farmers Market, Heritage Classic Car Show, Arts Alive Festival and Carnavalito on the Road. Nearby in downtown Langley on various dates there is also the McBurney Plaza Summer Concert Series, Langley Pride Day, and Fork & Finger. New for 2026, in early winter, there is also the Langley Christmas Village.

To learn more about the above and other Langley City events, see our article about Downtown Langley.

Live Shakespearean Theatre in Langley

Bard in the Valley is a great option for those who want to enjoy good theatrical productions at an affordable price. It might not be as big or famous as the Bard on the Beach Shakespeare festival in Vancouver, but there are multiple shows to enjoy each year!

Each season typically consists of one big production in the winter and one in the summer. The winter show is sometimes a classic Shakespeare play, but sometimes a more contemporary play that features Shakespeare in some way. The summer show is usually a more traditional production, but not always.

Also in the summer is Shakespeare Improv, which is a show where the actors make up a fully original Shakespearean play on the spot! The audience is able to help shape the story through their suggestions, which means each night is a new (and funny) play that won’t be seen again.

Henry IV at Bard in the Valley

The 2027 Season

The 2027 Bard in the Valley season features shows at three different venues in Langley. Exact details on tickets are to be confirmed, although we expect the ticket prices to be around $35 to $40 (but we aren’t sure).

The performances at Douglas Park are either free or with admission by donation. Having said that, seating is still limited at the free shows and it’s recommended to reserve tickets online in advance.

Below are details about the 2027 productions.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] (Again)

January 21st to February 7th, 2027

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] (Again) is a comedy show where three actors attempt to perform every single one of Shakespeare’s plays in just over 90 minutes. The result is a chaotic and very fast-paced performance with plenty of audience interaction.

Creekside Hall is the venue for this show. It’s located at The Langley Senior Resources Centre at 20605 51b Avenue in Langley City. There are both matinee performances at 2:00 pm and evening ones at 7:00 pm, with the exact schedule to be confirmed as of August.

(Note: This play was also performed by Bard on the Beach in 2025.)

As You Like It

June 24th to July 25th, 2027

As You Like It is the primary summer production for Bard in the Valley in 2027, with shows at both Township 7 Winery (21152 16 Avenue) in the Township of Langley and Douglas Park (5403-5409 206 Street) in Langley City. The shows at the winery happen between June 24th and July 11th. The production then moves to Douglas Park from July 15th to 25th.

One of Shakespeare’s comedies, As You Like It tells the story of a young noblewoman named Rosalind who’s banished from her uncle’s court and forced to flee along with her best friend and cousin Celia. Disguising themselves to hide their identities, the pair meet a whole host of new characters in the forest and plenty of hijinks ensue.

Shakespeare Improv

July, 2027 (exact dates TBC)

Township 7 Winery hosts another tour of the Shakespeare Improv troupe in July 2027. The shows are unique and rely on audience participation as the actors receive inspiration and turn it into brand-new, Shakespeare-inspired plays.

The dates and ticketing information for Shakespeare Improv is TBC. Visit the Bard in the Valley website for the most up-to-date information.

Bard in the Valley in Langley

Young Performers Camp

For teenagers who love theatre, Bard in the Valley hosts a two-week camp in July that gives them the chance to take part in a professional-style production. The 2026 camp began on July 2nd and included auditions, rehearsals and a pair of performances of the comedy musical Something Rotten! JR. on July 16th and 17th.

Last year the camp took place at HD Stafford Middle School and was open to youth ages 12 to 17. It cost $480 to participate and the final performances were free for family and friends to attend. 2027 details will likely be similar, but with exact details to be confirmed.

For more details, click Young Performers Camp.

Tips & Advice

Below are some things you might like to know before going to Bard in the Valley.

TIP #1: Definitely see one of their shows! They are very good. If you see one of the free productions, consider giving a generous donation. The shows are worth paying for and donations help keep the company able to produce them.

TIP #2: Seating at most of the Bard in the Valley productions is general admission. That means that if you want to have the best seats, you have to arrive early enough to claim them! Doors typically open one hour before showtime.

TIP #3: Once you’ve purchased a ticket, you’re able to exchange it for a ticket on a different date up until four days before your scheduled show. There are no refunds, however (which is only relevant for the shows that cost money).

TIP #4: If you like live theatre, especially Shakespearean theatre, then you’ll also want to check out Bard on the Beach in Vancouver. It runs from June until September with four different shows to choose from.