Can clowns find the true meaning of Shakespearean tragedies? Audiences will be able to judge for themselves at the outdoor presentation of Clowns Reading Shakespeare in two Toronto parks.
Presented free of charge, and outdoors at Memorial Park and Kew Gardens, Clowns Reading Shakespeare asks universal questions about human existence, like love, fate, power, free will, and the nature of ambition… but through the lens of clowns.
“Panoply is thrilled to bring this family-friendly production to wider audiences this summer, thanks to the support of Animating Toronto Parks,” said Panoply Co-Artistic Director Paige Madsen. “We can’t wait to share this hilarious show with you all!”
The Story
Strong, dramatic themes are familiar territory in the work of Shakespeare, and the clowns of Panoply’s summer production delve into three of his most powerful tragedies: Macbeth, Romeo & Juliet, and Hamlet.
That is to say, the Clowns will explore them with all as best they can. They are Clowns, after all.
The story begins as the director of a community theatre troupe fires the entire cast of a production in a fit of overactive ego. A gaggle of eager clowns show up to save the day at the last second. They’re tasked with coming up with a play that combines all three great Shakespearean tragedies in order to impress an enigmatic Producer.
Will they win the day? Should they…?
The show went through a series of workshop productions through 2023 and 2024, and comes back as a full production with the support of Animating Toronto Parks 2025.
Personnel
The show is directed by Kenzia Dalie (Red, RiotKing; FullHaus Productions) and featuring Panoply Co-Artistic Directors Alyssa Pothier (In Your Own Backyard, shortlisted for 2019 Robert Beardsley Award; Falling Sickness, Space Space Revolution), Paige Madsen (Mouse on the Move, Toronto Youth Theatre; Sappho Fragmented, Shadowpath Productions), and Sienna Singh (Things I Know to Be True, David Mirvish/The Company Theatre; Portia’s Julius Caesar, Shakespeare in the Ruff), alongside Brendan Kinnon (Red, Riot King, The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals, Playhouse Collective) and Callan Forrester (The Leading Player Project, EveryBODY on Stage; Drag Heals; OUTtv).
Panoply Theatre Collective is a Canadian charitable non-profit theatre company that focuses on the collaborative creation of new and adapted works.
Clowns Reading Shakespeare: Schedule
You’ll find the Clowns at Memorial Park (22 Little Avenue) from June 19 to 22, and Kew Gardens (2075 Queen St. East) from June 25 to 29.
Memorial Park
- June 19, 7 p.m.
- June 20, 7 p.m.
- June 21, 2p.m. & 7 p.m.
- June 22, 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Kew Gardens
- June 25, 7 p.m.
- June 26, 7 p.m.
- June 27, 7 p.m.
- June 28, 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
- June 29, 2 p.m.
Find more details [HERE].
Are you looking to promote an event? Have a news tip? Need to know the best events happening this weekend? Send us a note.
#LUDWIGVAN
Get the daily arts news straight to your inbox.
Sign up for the Ludwig Van Toronto e-Blast! — local classical music and opera news straight to your inbox HERE.
- PREVIEW | Sinfonia Toronto Baroque & Beyond Celebrates the Season With Guest Artists The Ezra Duo - December 4, 2025
- INTERVIEW | Director Peter Phillips Talks About The Tallis Scholars And Their Toronto Concert - December 4, 2025
- PREVIEW | The Royal Conservatory Of Music Launches Orchestrated With Cory Wong - December 3, 2025
