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Sunday, March 26 - Around the Bay Race Road Closure Notice: Please be advised that York Blvd. will be closed and a segment of Plains Rd. W. will be reduced to one lane for the Around the Bay Road Race. RBG Centre remains open but the Rock Garden and Rock Garden Bistro will not open until 1:30 p.m. Increased traffic congestion is expected during the race.

Shakespeare in the Garden

King Henry Five

August 18 to 21, 2022

7:30 p.m.; Laking Garden

Shakespeare is moving to Laking Garden for 4 summer performances of King Henry Five presented by Driftwood Theatre Group.

SOLD OUT! Thanks to everyone who has purchased tickets; to be sure you hear about future events and performances, subscribe to email notifications!

King Henry Five, Driftwood Theatre company by William Shakespeare, adopted by D. Jeremy Smith

About King Henry Five

Play by William Shakespeare 
Adapted by D. Jeremy Smith with lyrics by Germaine Konji

An ambitious adaptation of three Shakespeare plays (Henry IV pts 1 & 2, Henry V), King Henry Five is a powerful story about community, the families we inherit and those we choose, and the legacies we leave behind.

Set against the backdrop of a contemporary patio bar and featuring Driftwood’s signature blend of music, puppetry and Shakespeare’s captivating poetry, King Henry Five rolls into outdoor community spaces across Ontario this summer.

This compelling saga will be told with a cast of only five performers. Led by Driftwood’s Founding Artistic Director, D Jeremy Smith the cast includes celebrated Canadian theatre veteran Hume Baugh (Our Town, Theatre Rusticle) as Falstaff, Richard Alan Campbell (14 productions, VideoCabaret) as Quickly/Henry IV, Ximena Huizi (Rosalynde, Driftwood Theatre) as Poins/Hotspur, and emerging theatre artists Rosalie Tremblay (Trafalgar 24, Driftwood Theatre) as Catherine/Bardolph and Ben Yoganathan (Romeo & Juliet, X University) as Hal/Henry V. The production is designed by Julia Kim (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Driftwood), and will feature seven original songs with lyrics by Germaine Konji (2020 Musical Stage Company Banks Prize).

Bard’s Bus Tour

Good people sharing great stories. Imagine epic, site-specific theatre with Ontario’s greatest outdoor spaces as powerful backdrops, where every performance is unique to each particular community. Driftwood Theatre’s Bard’s Bus Tour has been sharing theatre under the stars in places you love for over 25 years.

This summer join Driftwood Theatre for theatre under the stars as they celebrate the return of The Bard’s Bus Tour after a three-year hiatus with an epic adaptation of William Shakespeare’s greatest play cycle, King Henry Five.

King Henry Five Tickets – SOLD OUT

Whether you’re joining us with a chair of your own, want to rent one, or prefer sitting stage-side on the ground make sure you’ve got the best seats by reserving your tickets ahead of time. With Driftwood’s flexible, Pay What You Can Afford admission, guests are invited to select from four set ticket prices.

RBG Members receive a special pre-sale! Link to be directly emailed to members.

Show Tickets

Prices subject to HST and Service Fees

“Pay What you Can Afford” Ticket $5, $35, or $50
“Pay it Forward” Ticket
When you buy a ticket at the $75 level, you unlock two free tickets that Driftwood will send to people in your community who may not otherwise have access to professional theatre.
$75

Add-Ons

Prices subject to HST and Service Fees

Rent a Chair $5 per chair
Rent a Cushion $3 per cushion
Picnic for Two
$70

Limited number available; be sure to book early to secure your spot!

  • Pre-registration is required for this ticketed event.
  • Tickets are non-refundable and final sale.
  • After a purchase is complete, the tickets are the property of the ticket-holder, and RBG will be unable to accommodate any date or time changes.

Enjoy a Picnic for Two

Pre-order a picnic to enjoy with your guest under the stars! Enjoy a selection of charcuterie, crudité and a sparkling water, all served in your own take-home RBG tote.

$70 (+ HST & Service Fee). Serves 2,

Available as a pre-order only. Already placed your order? Add-ons may be purchased separately even after your initial order is complete! Simply use the tickets button above and place a secondary order for your picnic.

  • Charcuterie for two w/ Antipasto
  • Assorted Domestic Cheeses
  • Artisanal Baguette
  • Crudité w/ Hummus
  • Herbed Potato Salad
  • Assorted fruits w/ House made Beignet
  • Sparkling water

At Laking Garden

1221 Spring Gardens Road, Burlington (address may differ from your parking location; details to come before performance date).

Set on a fertile terraced plain that was once a market garden, Laking Garden is home to RBG’s herbaceous perennial collections. The belvedere at the end of the entrance path offers a panoramic view of the entire garden.

FAQ’s

Have a question about Shakespeare at RBG? Click the topics below for more information. If you have a question that is not answered, give us a call at 905-527-1158 or send us a message.

Tickets

Pre-purchased tickets are required for this special event. When purchasing tickets, please ensure you select the appropriate date, as switching your tickets after purchase will not be possible. Tickets are final sale. 

You will be required to present your pre-purchased tickets upon arrival, either printed out or digitally on your personal device. Each ticket will be scanned. The confirmation receipt is not a ticket. Your tickets were sent to you as an attachment in the confirmation e-mail you received after booking. 

Weather

This event is held rain or shine and is 100% outdoors, so come prepared for the weather!

In the event of severe weather RBG has made arrangements to host this event in an alternative indoor location. Any changes will be communicated to ticket holders as soon as possible. RBG reserves the right to cancel the event due to inclement weather. If the event is canceled participants will receive a full refund.

Directions and Parking

This event is held at Laking Garden, 1221 Spring Garden Road in Burlington, Ontario.

Paid parking ($3/hour, $15 max, free with RBG Member Parking Pass) available at one of two parking lots on site.

Upon registration, you will be required to indicate the number of vehicles your party will be bringing on the day of the performance. Parking instructions will be emailed to attendees prior to the performance date.

Laking Garden is not currently accessible by public transit. Bike racks are available on site.

Performance Length and Timing

The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. The garden will open to ticketholders at 6:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to secure their space, have time to purchase food and beverage and get settled before the performance begins.

Seating

Bring your own chair, sit stage-side on the ground, or rent a chair with prime seating!

Rentals of chairs and cushions can be included as add-ons when purchasing tickets. There are a limited number available so be sure to book early to secure your spot!

Food & Drink

Guests can pre-order a picnic basket (serves 2) as an add-on when purchasing tickets.

Additional food and beverage will be available for purchase prior to the performance and during intermission. Outside food and beverage is not permitted.

Masks and COVID Safety

As we welcome our community and visitors back to experience the beauty of Royal Botanical Gardens’ (RBG), we are making every effort to help ensure your visit is enjoyable, entertaining and, above all, safe.

Following the advice of public health authorities, masks are required to access the indoor spaces (entry to the garden, teahouse, washrooms, etc.), and we ask that you wear a mask or face covering during the outdoor portion of this experience if possible. Please observe all markers and one-way indicators upon arrival and stick with your group for the duration of your visit, following physical distancing guidelines.

What do I do if I Feel Ill?

As part of our commitment and shared responsibility for the health and safety of our guests, staff and volunteers, we ask that guests perform a self assessment to help reduce the spread of COVID – 19 prior to your visit. Should you feel ill please stay home and contact your health care provider. Your tickets can be transferred to other family members or friends (no transfer fee required).

Washrooms

Washroom facilities are located near the entrance to the garden. Please note masks are required for use of all indoor spaces.

Accessibility

This event takes place on an open grass area of the garden. If accessing with a wheelchair / walker / stroller, an outdoor model is suggested. Accessible parking spaces are available in the Lower Parking Lot.

If you have any further questions about accessibility at this event please contact us by phone (905-527-1158) or use the form at rbg.ca/contact-events.

Pets & Service Animals

With the exception of service animals, personal dogs/cats/animals are not permitted at this performance.

Terms & Conditions

Tickets purchased to special events are final sale and non-refundable. Tickets for this tour can be transferred to someone else if you can no longer attend. If RBG cancels a special event, ticketholders will be fully refunded. Please keep your tickets and confirmation: it is proof of your purchase and allows entry for the tour. 

COVID 19 Rights and Responsibilities: Royal Botanical Gardens understands and respects the rights of all staff, volunteers, and event attendees to be protected from infectious diseases. Royal Botanical Gardens follows the public health and workplace safety measures and regulations as indicated by local public health units, local municipalities, and the Province of Ontario. As such, event attendees are mandatorily required to adhere to the processes and policies that are put in place to mitigate effects of infectious diseases. Such processes and policies include, but are not limited to: face coverings, daily medical screening, and social distancing. It is the right of Royal Botanical Gardens to restrict the access to or remove from its events and properties any individual who does not adhere to such processes and policies. By agreeing you understand the above statement and agree to its contents for yourself and those individuals attending the event with you.

Liability: RBG assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to property, or for personal injury or mishap; all activities are at the risk of the participant. 

Filming/Photography Release: Please be advised that all photos, audio-video, and static images taken at this tour may be used for exhibit, reproduction, and/or distribution for RBG related promotional use, including all forms of print, television advertisement, social media and /or website display. In consideration of your participation as a guest or attendee of this event, you authorize Royal Botanical Gardens, its legal representatives, suppliers, invited media and assigns unrestricted right and permission to copyright and use such photos and images under their sole discretion. Royal Botanical Gardens, its legal representatives, suppliers, invited media and assigns are released without limitation of any claims for libel or invasion of privacy. 

By purchasing tickets and participating in this tour on RBG properties, you are agreeing to the above release for yourself, and on behalf of your guests.