The Verdict Is In: Freewill and Players de Novo Reunite!
Shakespeare, mistaken identities, and Edmonton's legal community. What could possibly go wrong?
We're delighted to announce that Free Will Players has been selected as the 2027 charitable theatre partner for Players de Novo, the organization behind Edmonton's beloved annual Lawyers' Play!
On Friday, May 7, 2027, members of Edmonton's legal community will trade the courtroom for the stage in Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors, directed by Freewill Artistic Director David Horak.
With two sets of identical twins, mistaken identities, and enough confusion to keep even the most seasoned legal minds guessing, this particular Shakespearean comedy seems an especially entertaining choice!
A Welcome Encore
This isn't our first time joining forces with Players de Novo!
Freewill previously partnered with the organization in 2008 for Arsenic and Old Lace and again in 2016 for A Midsummer Night's Dream. We're thrilled to renew that relationship and share another production with the dedicated volunteers who make this remarkable fundraising tradition possible.
For two decades, Players de Novo has brought together lawyers and judges from across Edmonton to celebrate theatre, build connections, and raise funds for the arts. Proceeds from each production support both the partnering theatre company and the Victoria School Foundation for the Arts.
It's a wonderful example of what happens when people from different communities come together for a shared purpose, with a healthy dose of theatrical mischief along the way.
Celebrating Edmonton's Theatre Community
One of the things we admire most about Players de Novo is its longstanding commitment to supporting the many organizations that make Edmonton's theatre scene so vibrant.
We're especially pleased to follow Rapid Fire Theatre, the 2026 theatre partner, whose production of The Redactor's Studio brought a wonderfully inventive twist to the Lawyers' Play. Combining scripted comedy with live improvisation, Rapid Fire invited the legal community to embrace the unexpected while raising funds to support the next phase of its theatre renovations.
And the tradition doesn't stop with us! We're equally excited that Fringe Theatre, home of the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival and a vital champion of independent artists and adventurous performance, will take the partnership forward in 2028.
It's a privilege to be in such good company. These partnerships are a reminder that Edmonton's theatre community is stronger when we celebrate one another's successes and support the work happening across our city's stages.
All Rise for The Comedy of Errors!
We're looking forward to working with Players de Novo's extraordinary volunteers, welcoming a new cast of legal professionals to the world of Shakespeare, and bringing audiences an evening of laughter in support of Edmonton's arts community.
Save the date!
Friday, May 7, 2027
Eva O. Howard Theatre, Victoria School of the Arts
Ticket information and further production details will be announced soon.
Until then, we have just one piece of advice for our future cast: when Shakespeare gives you two sets of identical twins, don't expect the evidence to make much sense.
See you in court. Or rather, at the theatre!
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