Bard on the Beach: A Liberal Fantasyland

Imagine a place where Shakespearean plays are performed under the open sky, with the backdrop of the stunning Vancouver skyline. This is Bard on the Beach, a festival that has been running since 1990 in Vancouver, Canada. Every summer, this event draws in thousands of theater enthusiasts who gather at Vanier Park to indulge in the works of the Bard. But let's be real, this isn't just about Shakespeare. It's a liberal fantasyland where the elite gather to pat themselves on the back for being "cultured" while sipping overpriced lattes and pretending to understand Elizabethan English.

First off, let's talk about the crowd. The festival attracts a certain type of person, the kind who believes that attending a Shakespeare play makes them intellectually superior. They are the same folks who will lecture you on the importance of the arts while ignoring the fact that most people can't afford the luxury of spending a day at the theater. It's a gathering of the self-proclaimed enlightened, who are more interested in being seen at the event than actually enjoying the performance.

Then there's the location. Vanier Park is a beautiful spot, no doubt about it. But it's also a prime example of how the festival caters to the affluent. The park is situated in one of the most expensive cities in North America, where the cost of living is through the roof. The festival's location is a reminder that the arts are often reserved for those who can afford them, leaving the rest of us to watch from the sidelines.

Let's not forget the plays themselves. Shakespeare's works are timeless, but the festival often puts a modern twist on them to appeal to contemporary audiences. This is where things get dicey. The adaptations are often infused with progressive themes that align with the festival's liberal agenda. It's as if the organizers are more interested in pushing a political narrative than staying true to the original text. This isn't about preserving Shakespeare's legacy; it's about using his work as a vehicle for modern-day propaganda.

The festival also prides itself on being inclusive and diverse, but let's call a spade a spade. This is more about virtue signaling than genuine inclusivity. The organizers make a big show of casting diverse actors and promoting gender equality, but it's all surface-level. The reality is that the festival is still dominated by a certain demographic, and the token gestures of diversity do little to change that.

And what about the cost? Tickets to Bard on the Beach aren't cheap. For a family of four, attending a single performance can be a significant financial burden. This is yet another example of how the festival is out of reach for the average person. It's a playground for the wealthy, where they can indulge in their love of the arts without having to rub shoulders with the common folk.

Finally, let's address the elephant in the room: the festival's impact on the local community. While Bard on the Beach brings in tourists and boosts the local economy, it also contributes to the gentrification of the area. The influx of visitors drives up prices and makes it even harder for locals to afford to live in their own city. It's a classic case of the rich getting richer while the rest of us are left to pick up the pieces.

Bard on the Beach may be a beloved cultural event, but it's also a symbol of the elitism and hypocrisy that permeates the arts world. It's a place where the privileged gather to celebrate their own superiority, all while ignoring the very real issues facing the rest of society. So the next time you hear someone raving about the festival, remember that it's not just about Shakespeare. It's about a liberal fantasyland where the elite can escape reality and indulge in their own self-importance.