For 41 years, Canadian Stage - one of the country’s premiere producers of large-scale theatre and the largest not-for-profit theatre in Toronto - has been an accessible and foundational theatre experience for generations of Torontonians through its beloved summer theatre tradition Dream in High Park. This magical annual event returns this July with a new production of one of Shakespeare’s definitive tragedies, HAMLET, on stage under the stars from July 21st to September 1st.

Jessica Carmichael – whose 2021 production of The Rez Sisters for The Stratford Festival was called “the most confident directorial debut at the festival in ages” by The Globe and Mail, directs a stunning cast led by Qasim Khan as Hamlet, joined by Prince Amponsah, Raquel Duffy, Christo Graham, Stephen Jackman-Torkoff, Sam Khalilieh, Breton Lalama, Beck Lloyd, Dan Mousseau, Amelia Sargisson, James Dallas Smith, and featuring Diego Matamoros as Claudius. Dream in High Park is generously supported by Lead Sponsor TD Bank.

Set amidst the tumultuous backdrop of political intrigue and familial betrayal, this iconic tale follows the tormented Prince of Denmark as he grapples with existential questions of life, death, and revenge. The upcoming production is only the second time in Dream in High Park’s history that HAMLET has been produced and this year’s show serves as a companion to Canadian Stage’s hotly anticipated Canadian Premiere production of the 2022 Pulitzer prize-winner, FAT HAM.

“Hamlet is one of the most loved and iconic titles in Shakespeare’s canon and also one of the most thrilling psychological dramas in the theatre,” says Canadian Stage Artistic Director Brendan Healy. “We are incredibly excited to be able to offer Toronto audiences the opportunity to experience a new production of the original text in the park this summer, and then to also discover the Pulitzer Prize and Tony-winning adaptation FAT HAM, later this season. We are also thrilled to introduce our audiences to Jessica Carmichael, an exceptional director whose work at Shaw and Stratford has proven her to be an essential voice in this country.”

Coming off a breathtaking performance as Eric in THE INHERITANCE, Canadian Stage is delighted to welcome Qasim Khan back to its stage. Khan in fact performed in the one previous production of Hamlet in 2016 as Horatio, now stepping into the titular role. He now leads a luminous cast comprised of many of Canada’s most talented actors, both seasoned and up and coming.

Largely considered one of the most complex and coveted roles in classical theatre, Shakespeare is thought to have written HAMLET in 1599 or 1600 and the play is most likely to have first been performed in 1601. It has been translated into over 75 languages in the over 400 years since publications, and, like many of Shakespeare’s texts, coined several phrases now embedded in the English language including; ‘to the manner born’, ‘cruel to be kind’, ‘the primrose path’, ‘neither a borrower nor a lender be’, ‘more honoured in the breach than the observance’, ‘something is rotten’, ‘more things in heaven and earth’, ‘the time is out of joint’, ‘brevity is the soul of wit’, ‘this mortal coil’, ‘hoist with one’s own petard’ – and Gertrude’s line, ‘the lady doth protest too much, methinks’.

HAMLET runs July 21st through September 1st. Performances take place Tuesday through Saturday at 8:00pm with Sunday performances now offered at 7:00pm.

Backstage tours:

In response to the success of limited backstage tours offered last year in the High Park Amphitheatre, Canadian Stage is pleased to introduce regularly scheduled tours at 6:30pm prior to Tuesday evening performances of HAMLET starting July 30th. Backstage tours are open to ticketholders of that evening's performance. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Registration is available on the ticket purchasing page.

Park tips:

The High Park Amphitheatre is located at the very centre of Toronto’s beloved High Park and can be accessed by foot or bicycle from numerous pathways through the park. Automobile access is available on weekdays.

As per its long-held tradition, Canadian Stage encourages its audiences to bring their own blankets and picnics, and truly enjoy the evening of theatre under the stars. Concessions are also available for purchase on site.

Tickets:

General Admission tickets for Dream in High Park are $29 plus HST.

Rush tickets are available at all performances of Dream in High Park.

Rush tickets are available online at noon the day of the performance, or at the gate beginning 2 hours prior to each performance and are offered at pay-what-you-wish pricing (suggested minimum of $20.) 

Visit www.canadianstage.com.