Christopher Bower GazeOBCMSM (born 12 May 1952) is an English actor, host, artist, theatre and opera director residing in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Gaze moved to Vancouver in 1983 and in 1990 founded Bard on the Beach which in 2014 achieved attendance exceeding 100,000. In addition to performing and directing for Bard, Gaze's voice is heard regularly in cartoon series, commercials and on the radio. He also hosts Vancouver Symphony's popular Tea and Trumpets series and their annual Christmas concerts. His many honours include induction into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame, Canada's Meritorious Service Medal (2004), Honorary Doctorates from UBC & SFU, the BC Community Achievement Award (2007), the Gold Medallion from the Children's Theatre Foundation of America (2007) and a Jessie Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Equus at The Playhouse. As an Olympic ambassador, Gaze was honored to run with the Olympic flame for the 2010 Games. A public speaker with the National Speakers Bureau, Gaze frequently shares his insights on Shakespeare and theatre with students, service organizations and businesses.
Gaze also narrated season 3 of Emmy Award-winning animation series Madeline (after Christopher Plummer stepped down).
Gaze was awarded the Order of British Columbia (OBC) announced on 18 May 2012 by the Premier of British Columbia and the Civil Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) (Canada Gazette 17 May 2005) from the Canadian Government in 2005.
