The iconic Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan (SOTS) theatre festival is back with new shows, new hijinks, and under new leadership.
Skye Brandon, the new artistic director of SOTS, stepped into the position earlier in 2026. Despite being new to the position, Brandon is not new to the theatre festival – and he said he’s excited for what this season has in store following their 40th anniversary last year.
“We’re building off the excitement of the anniversary last year,” Brandon said. “We’ve closed the book on a chapter, and this is a new path going forward.”
There was a time during last year’s festival planning and preparation where it seemed financial issues might derail the festival entirely.
But according to Brandon, thanks to strong ticket sales for the 2025 season and a generous donation matching campaign supported by Ellen Remai and the Frank and Ellen Remai Foundation – a matching campaign that is being repeated once again for this season of SOTS – the festival is in a much stronger position now.
“Last year built a lot of momentum and positive conversations, so we can make some multi-year plans,” Brandon said. “We had so much public support that it helped to eliminate the emergency… but now we have to build up and sustain this momentum.”
This year’s festival goes back to the time-honoured SOTS tradition of setting some of The Bard’s best plays in times and settings you might not expect, with the season’s theme of “Love and Tyranny.”
For the 2026 festival, it’s a pirate-themed comedy with Much Ado About Nothing and a modern and malevolent betrayal-laden tragedy in Julius Caesar, directed by festival stalwarts Anita Smith and Joshua Beaudry, respectively.
In addition to Smith and Beaudry, the entire artistic team for both of this season’s shows are from Saskatchewan — bringing a level of homegrown pride and flair to the festival.
“It’s a testament to our community as a whole,” Brandon said. “It feels like there are more and more people who are wanting to stay in Saskatchewan and wanting to make a career in the arts.”
Beyond the main stage shows, the SOTS site is playing host to other productions during the season and opening up more to the public. Every Sunday afternoon until August 23rd, the site will be open to the public to walk through on the trail and enjoy the beautifully updated space. And the Players’ Series, offering free artistic programming, will make a return again this year with unique shows in July and August.
After last year’s successful 40th anniversary season, bolstered by the Frank and Ellen Remai Foundation and community support, Brandon said he was excited to step into a leadership role with the festival after having been a director and performer in it in previous years.
As the festival looks to the future, Brandon said he hoped this year was a great place to start for many more years of enjoying Shakespeare along the South Saskatchewan River.
“There’s been a lot of heavy lifting among the cast and crew to tell these stories,” he said. “It’s such tremendous work to bring this all to life.”
You can find tickets for Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan at shakespearesask.com.
