SKAMpede celebrates 10 years July 13-15 2018 in Victoria BC

SKAMpede celebrates 10 years July 13-15 2018 in Victoria BC SKAMpede (originally known as Bike Ride) is Theatre SKAM's 10th annual outdoor live performance festival along the Galloping Goose in Victoria BC.  And, for the very first time, and in celebration of ten years--it is FREE. Audiences gather at the HUB 360 Harbour Road, and take off in small groups to see up to 16 different mini shows (this can take up to four hours), ranging from … [Read more...]

The Tempest at the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival 2018. A review.

The Tempest at the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival 2018. A review. Under a lowering sky, brimming with the promise of pent-up rain, a feral being (an impressive Trevor Hinton as Caliban), clothed in rags and tatters, galumphs across a dry and rocky landscape—then, quickly seizing upon a small furry creature, proceeds to kill and eat it—raw. Welcome to The Tempest at the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival. Director Chelsea Haberlin … [Read more...]

Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival 2018. Interview with Artistic Director Karen Lee Pickett.

Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival 2018. Interview with Artistic Director Karen Lee Pickett. The Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival celebrates their 28th year in 2018. Now firmly established in the repertory model since 2014 under the artistic directorship of Karen Lee Pickett, they benefit from two professional mentor actors—this year, Trevor Hinton who audiences will remember from the 2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons, and new to the … [Read more...]

Kaleidoscope Sixth Annual Family Theatre Festival June 9,10 and 16. Preview.

Kaleidoscope Family Theatre Festival June 9,10 and 16. Preview.  The Family Theatre Festival: 3 Days of Great Performances, 2 New Locations, and a World Premiere! Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People is proud to announce our upcoming Family Theatre Festival, taking place on June 9th and 10th at the Belfry Theatre, and June 16th in Langford. For our sixth year, Kaleidoscope is delighted to be expanding our festival, reaching out to … [Read more...]

Djamileh: Unrequited by the Vancouver Island Performers Guild June 6-17, 2018. Preview.

Djamileh: Unrequited by the Vancouver Island Performers Guild June 6-17, 2018. Preview. Djamileh is a comedic opera and love story by Georges Bizet and was first performed in 1872 at the Opéra-Comique, Paris. Djamileh: Unrequited, is the Vancouver Island Performers Guild’s family-friendly adaptation in English showcasing multiple hidden talents Victoria has to offer including elements of vaudeville and circus for a modern … [Read more...]

A Summer of Theatre 2018 in Victoria BC.

A Summer of Theatre 2018 in Victoria BC.   Victoria Fringe Festival line-up at the Metro Studio Theatre. Photo: Derek Ford. Summer is a time of festivals and outdoor events, perfect for unwinding and experiencing theatre in venues outside of the "norm"--although there are still plenty of indoor shows too.  Here's the line-up as of May 29th. June All My Sons by Arthur Miller Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre May 29-June 10 Arthur … [Read more...]

Victoria Fringe Festival 2017. My away picks.

Victoria Fringe Festival 2017. My away picks. In 2006 I celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Victoria Fringe Festival and got truly bitten by the Fringe bug.  I saw many more shows than originally planned, and had so much fun I decided to volunteer the following year (and did so until 2014 when I switched to reviewing).  Over the years I’ve met many Fringe artists and followed their careers—both in Victoria and further afield. Even … [Read more...]

Ferdinand the Magnificent. Victoria Fringe 2017. An interview with Nick Trotter.

Ferdinand the Magnificent. Victoria Fringe 2017. An interview with Nick Trotter. A kid-friendly show that will appeal to people who appreciate absurdity and weirdness. Nick Trotter brings Ferdinand the Magnificent to Victoria. How long have you been producing work on the Fringe circuit?  As an artist/company? Ferdinand played at the Boulder Fringe last year; Victoria is his first foray into Canada. Is this your first visit to … [Read more...]

Beaver Dreams La Fièvre du Castor. Victoria Fringe 2017. An interview with Maggie Winston.

Beaver Dreams La Fièvre du Castor. Victoria Fringe 2017. An interview with Maggie Winston. “All humans desire to connect to nature”. Learn more from Lost and Found Puppet Company’s artist director Maggie Winston about the inspiration for this bilingual, all-ages show, created and produced by an all-female team. How long have you been producing work on the Fringe circuit? As an artist/company? My first show at the fringe was in … [Read more...]

The Birdmann and Egg: BIRDHOUSE. Victoria Fringe 2017. An interview.

The Birdmann and Egg: BIRDHOUSE. Victoria Fringe 2017. An interview. In the panoply of Fringe performers, there is only one Birdmann. His quirky shows have endeared him to local audiences since he first appeared here in 2011. The feeling is mutual for Egg says “Victoria is our favourite place to perform in the world”.  The Birdmann and Egg have chosen the city for the world premiere of their new show The Birdmann and Egg: BIRDHOUSE. NB: … [Read more...]