If you think attending a Shakespeare play means sitting in a velvet seat and staying silent in the dark, think again. Bardfly Theatre Co, a Los Angeles-based, site-specific theatre company, is flipping the script bringing Shakespeare to the bars, parks, and unconventional spaces. Best of all, Bardfly will be at Boomtown brewery most weekends in April.
Founded in 2023 by Nicola Vann, Bardfly was born from a long-time interest in site-specific theatre and alternative theatre venues. Vann, who researched these performance styles at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, launched the company after years of dreaming while working in theatre and film.
The inspiration is simple: in a world dominated by screens, people still crave social, shared experiences. Bardfly shows are designed to be less about sitting politely and more about a social experience similar to a concert. They want going to live theatre to feel closer to that energy—less formality and more drinking and developing a crush on the drummer, or in our case, the fairy.
While bar-room Shakespeare exists elsewhere, Bardfly distinguishes itself through a commitment to high-quality, full productions. Their style is what Vann calls “modern-neutral,” featuring actors in modern clothes speaking with a modern cadence—though they promise no one will be getting a text message from the Duke. There are three main hallmarks that define a Bardfly production. First, they do the full play, so it feels like a traditional theater experience even in a bar. Second, they maintain the “modern-neutral” aesthetic without distracting gimmicks. Third, they hit the emotional notes and deliver the poetry earnestly while ensuring the audience gets all the dirty jokes.
Another cool thing about the company is that the actors are all trained and excellent improvisers. Because they perform in wildly different venues with limited control and rehearsals, the cast’s ability to think on their feet is crucial. It is a big part of what makes their shows so lively and fun. Bardfly doesn’t just perform in L.A.; they partner with the community.
Their roster of venues includes The LA Arboretum, The Raymond 1886, Idle Hour, Lawless Brewing Co., Boomtown Brewery, and The Velvet Martini Lounge. They are also fortunate to be a fiscally sponsored project of Mockingbird Incubator, a registered 501(c)(3) organization in California.
By taking place in accessible, unintimidating spaces, these performances encourage people to watch theatre who might not do so otherwise. It’s a fresh way of advancing arts and culture in a vibrant city full of storytellers.
This approach has already earned them spots on LA-IST and We Like LA’s lists of Best Things to Do In LA. The current season features Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost.”
You can catch the production in Downtown on April 4th at 5:30 PM at Boomtown Brewery in the DTLA Arts District and Friday, April 17th, at 7:30 PM at Lawless Brewing Co. Tickets are available at www.givebutter.com/bardfly.
