Blackfriars Playhouse

Wow! An absolutely PHENOMENAL theater experience! GO!!!
Shakespeare’s indoor theater recreated… the only one of it’s kind. Everything about the venue and actors is according to how it was done in Shakespeare’s Blackfriar theater. There are Shakespearean theater groups in the US, but NOT LIKE THIS!
The venue is small and intimate, with some audience members sitting on stage, with actors interacting with them during the performance. For 30 minutes prior to showtime, there is live music and singing by the actors themselves. The atmosphere is simply PHENOMENAL and fun and I can’t find the proper words to describe it, so I’ll have to edit this review later. LOL
The talent and acting skills blew me away. Fabulous! I can’t believe a theater of this caliber exists in Staunton, Virginia. It’s an absolute gem. The couple seated next to me last night stated there have been coming for 12 years, from Long Island, New York.
Yes, it’s that good; worthy of traveling to as a destination on it’s own. I can’t wait to go back for more. Important to know: this is repertory, so the same actors perform 4 different plays each season. I saw Arms of the Man last night; tonight is Julius Ceasar, and there are others this week. How can the young actors expertly perform different roles in different plays, all in the same week? To top that off, the summer season starts June 12, and they are rehearsing for 4 MORE plays. Amazing talent. Simply amazing. Take that and add the aspects of the Blackfriar theater and this experience is a must for all adults. I grew up in dinner theater and am a Broadway junkie, but this experience is my new favorite. Season ticket, please! :-)

The short of it, if you love Shakespeare, you have to see a show here! If you don’t love his work, well a show here might convert you. I have to admit I basically planned a whole vacation around seeing a show at the Black Friars Playhouse/​American Shakespeare Center. I’m relieved to admit it did not disappoint! I saw ASC’s production of Henry VI Pt. I (also known as Joan of Arc). I had read the play in advance as some of Shakespeare’s plays can be pretty dense material and I have a habit of zoning out a bit when people start speaking fast paced Old English at me so I like to go into one of his plays somewhat prepared. I enjoyed reading the play, but there was something truly magical about seeing it come alive on stage thanks to a group of fantastic actors! The words which have a beauty in their own right, take on deeper meaning when acted out by folks that can actually handle the material. The theater itself is beautiful, and even smaller and more intimate than what I was expecting. If you’re bold enough, I would recommend taking a gallant stool seat on stage and if you’re a bit shy, trust me, you won’t be asked to do much if anything at all. Also the lobby/​gift shop has some wonderfully nerdtastic souvenirs. I went home with a picture of the play house and t-​shirt myself.

Sat on the stage to see «The Importance of Being Earnest» performed ala Shakespearean Troupe. Fantastic show! They are a very talented group of actors and actresses! We became part of the show as they «referred» to us with direct eye contact and innocent joking. At one point one of the actresses stood next to me and handed me «letters» (props) making me a part of the action! Crazy fun! I give this venue and the performance my highest recommendation!

Recently saw The Importance of Being Earnest — the show was excellent. I loved the atmosphere of the theater. I only wish I’d known our seats would be bench style — will definitely return for another show,

If I could give this 10 stars, I would! I went to see their recent production of Midsummer Nights Dream. It was EXCELLENT. I honestly don’t know the last time I laughed so hard. I cannot even wait to go back and see something again. The cast was great, all across the board. Yes, they keep the lights on, and yes you get just a seat cushion and a hard back seat, but I was fine. There is actually a LOT of room between you and your neighbor, so you aren’t cramped. They serve alcohol, sodas, and snacks before the show and during intermission. Come early for the vaudeville show before hand and you might not want to leave during intermission either! The entertainment doesn’t end! I really can’t recommend this place enough. Grab a beer at the By and By beforehand, or food down at the Clocktower, and enjoy some of the best Shakespeare you’ve ever seen. (I graduated from The Juilliard School, so I’ve seen some good stuff!)

Verdict: The American Shakespeare Center (ASC) performed the best Hamlet in the best live theater I have ever seen. No visit to Staunton or the Shenandoah National Park is complete without an evening at the Blackfriars Playhouse. I would definitely repeat!
PROs: Talented actors who are entertaining with both their acting and song. The contemporary songs before the play and during the intermission were fun. The layout and design of the intimate theater cannot be understated; it was like going back in time. We had the «worst» seats in the house and had no issues. We also liked the ability to go on the stage after the performance.
CONs: For $ 6, the plastic cups of wine should be larger and filled to the top. I would also like to meet the actors after the play. Having to wait 10 minutes for the staff «to clear» the theater before we could take pictures, made no sense.

We came to Staunton on vacation, stayed at The Iris Inn, another wonderful place. I was excited to see Much Ado About Nothing. I love Shakespeare. But Oh… it was so much more. Done with the lights on and quite a few surprises! We loved it so much we went back the next night to see Hamlet. The staff makes you feel welcome when you come in, and it just gets better from there. I wish I lived near by I would be broke because I would have to see everything they ever did! You will be amazed. Just go!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this is the best Shakespeare in the known universe. I’ve held props on stage, interacted during plays, been hidden behind, and once even got a drop of fake blood on my shoe from (which washed out easily) here. I’ve laughed out loud and cried all in one play. My parents took us here as kids and we LOVED it. They make the plays so accessible, but still bring out those lovely Shakespearean qualities. Im sure that one summer I saw Hamlet 8 – 10 time. I could not more highly recommend this place. I’ve taken more than a few people who were skeptical about seeing Shakespeare for fun and they all LOVED it. If you go for one night, you’re going to wish you had gone for more! Just buy tickets for all the plays in advance.

I went on field trip with my students to Blackfriars Playhouse a few weeks ago to see The Taming of the Shrew. This place is amazing! When I was in high school, I had to build a model of the Globe Theater, so I was super fascinated to see a real-​life replica. We arrived a bit late, so the only seats that were available were in the second row of the balcony. My seat wasn’t the best, and I was on an uncomfortable corner, but nonetheless, I still really enjoyed the show.
The actors were dressed in a mix of classic Shakespearean costumes and some with a more modern spin. The acting was on point! Although most of the students read only an abbreviated version of the play, they were still able to follow along and stayed super engaged throughout the performance. You were able to buy beverages and snacks during the intermission, which was really great for the kiddos. I plan on going back sometime this month to see another play, and I can’t wait!

The American Shakespeare Center only place in the country I want to see Shakespeare performed at. You will understand it and you will love it.
The theater is the most beautiful space I’ve ever seen. The quality of the costumes is incredible and the performances are unimaginably great.
Virginia is so lucky to have this treasure.

We’ve lived in the area a while, but the ticket price held us non-​avid-​theater-​goers at bay. But, we finally decided to check out Staunton and include this in the day tour.
We decided not to buy tickets online because this isn’t really peak season, so they would have tickets for sale still when we arrived in town. Then, we go to the playhouse, and we learn it is pay what you will night. Pretty great deal, and we assume it was because it was opening night.
The doors opened about a half-​hour before the play started, and there were drinks and snacks for sale. Without a ticket, we were allowed to sit wherever we wanted as long as it wasn’t marked reserved. We decided to go up to the balcony area. The playhouse is styled after the Globe, so it’s a fun atmosphere. The only drawback was light hung down into our view a little bit, and on the sides you could see as well. Because of that, we moved to the middle to have a better view. I’m guessing on the bottom some areas would have obstructed views just because of the layout and poles int he building.
The play was great, even for their opening night. They did a great job conveying the story, even if you didn’t know all that was said during the Shakespearian play. They performed for a few hours, had a short intermission and continued until the end.
We parked around the corner in the parking garage, which was only a $ 1 for the time we were there. You could show up earlier and check out Staunton and eat before the show, which is what we did.
I don’t need to go all the time, but I am glad I went. It’s something fun and different to do in the evening.

I had never before been to an actual play prior to our vacation here. The whole cast and crew blew me away with Macbeth. I can’t give enough recognition to the actors here, they were amazing. The seating was very comfortable in the massively detailed Shakespeare theater. When you have time, stop by the merchandise corner of the building and check out their stuff!

We came for one show, «Cyrano», and had so much fun we decided to stay for another evening and watch «A Comedy of Errors». Again, the cast had us in stitches. What talent! What fun. It’s worth the drive from DC to enjoy the cast and the plays. We will be back — maybe for A Christmas Carol.

This is a clear must-​see in Staunton. A recreation of the Shakespeare Globe Theatre, both physically and artistically. In case you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to watch a play in its proper, historically accurate context!

Previously living in this town has spoiled me so much… I could go to Blackfriar’s anytime I wanted to and see a wonderful, unique Shakespeare rendition. Now, I’m in Boston, and I feel it’s terribly difficult to find the same cultural foundation.
I’ve seen Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing, Othello, Taming of the Shrew, Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Romeo and Juliet. I’ve also seen A Christmas Carol and The Santaland Diaries around the holidays. Every performance has been amazing, even more so on the times I was able to sit on the Gallants’ Stools.
The actors always engage and improvise with the audience, and the theater is absolutely beautiful.
I recommend anyone to go here at least once, regardless of how far of a trek it might be.

SUPERB. This is one of my favorite theatres that I have been to. I daresay I even prefer these productions to the ones at the Shakespeare Theatre in DC. I have seen a lot of productions here: Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing, Merry Wives of Windsor, Twelfth Night, and others. One of my favorite things about Blackfriars playhouse is the emphasis on the music. Prior to the show, and during intermission, the actors perform music on the balcony above the stage. They play old classics and newer hits — I’ve heard Bruce Springsteen, Velvet Underground, Wilco, etc. Pretty awesome!

I was wary of traveling more than two hours in each direction mid week to see a play, but my brother and his wife had spoken so highly of their experience I decided that it would be good to participate in something that they found so engaging. I was not disappointed. The Blackfriars Playhouse was a treat beyond my wildest expectation.
The playhouse is an intimate setting where the audiance is a part of the set. There are no spot lights, no booming soundtracks, and no intricate sets to transport one into a different time and space. The setting unfurals in the imagination of each patron with the help of the cast whose delivery was essential for creating a space filled with laughter, silence, angst, and tears, as the story unfolds.
This was by far the most acessable Shakespeare I have ever experienced. A «standing O» doesn’t begin to capture the praise earned by the Blackfriars Playhouse performers if «O» stands for only for ovation.
If you are in Virginia (or came from another state as we did) don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to experience something magical.

I walked into Blackfriars only knowing that it was some sort of replica of an early Shakespearean theater, but I walked out completely blown away! The atmosphere was playful, and whether or not the nuances to how they perform were accurate (lighting on throughout the show, multiple rolls for each actor, purposeful gender confusion, and loose costume interpretation) they still made for a unique fun environment. The venue is very cool, the town it is in adds a certain ambiance, but seeing a pretty accurate version of Julius Caesar played out in under two hours with humor and whimsy, is what will bring me back. 5 stars… if you live in DC and are looking for a overnight getaway, check this place out.

I had a feeling this was going to be a bad night when as soon we walked in, there was a lady shouting out a long list of rules to everyone in the lobby. It felt like grade school. Audience members were allowed to sit on stage, which I found distracting. I bought a reserved seat but had problems finding it because the cushion covered the seat number (and an usher was barely helpful).
The play itself, «The Lion in Winter» obviously was the biggest factor in my enjoyment of this establishment, and it was laughably bad. I don’t know if they changed a lot of lines from the original, but it felt like «Everyone Loves Raymond» trying to spoof Shakespeare. The acting was not particularly impressive. Perhaps I felt a little disconnect from the actors when they were asking for donations before the play. We left at intermission.
I read about this theatre in the Washington Post that portrayed it as an innovative establishment in a small town. Unfortunately it seemed like a very amateurish place

Tonight marks my fourth show here at the Blackfriars but my tenth of the American Shakespeare Center. I have known this company since they were the Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, and I’ve only watched them get better and better with each production. I always look forward to what they produce and cannot recommend the experience enough.
Culture yourself. Get on board with the ASC.