A Winter of Theatre 2017 in Victoria BC. January and February.
In not too distant memory, January and February were quiet months in local theatre. This is no longer the case. Here are listings for TWENTY shows and four fundraisers. You’ll have a chance to see drama, comedy, improv, musicals, new work and more from Victoria’s professional, alternative, emerging and student companies. The variety available in our region is truly astonishing.
January
From Door to Door by James Sherman
Bema Productions
Congregation Emanu-El, corner of Blanshard and Pandora
January 14/15/17/19/22
Tickets: http://www.ticketrocket.co/event/details/94159/from-door-to-door
A heartwarming, bittersweet comedy about three generations of women.
Mary Goodman, is mourning the loss of her husband. Her daughter, Deborah, is encouraging her to end her period of mourning and move on with a new independence. In a series of scenes between Mary, Deborah, and Mary’s mother, Bessie, Mary reflects back on her life as a daughter, wife and mother. As Mary’s life progresses from childhood to matrimony to motherhood, we see how each successive generation of women lives up to the expectations of the past and makes brave new choices about the future. At the end of the play, the three women stand as links in a chain made of faith, love, and understanding.
One Man, Two Guvnors Written by Richard Bean, songs and music by Grant Olding
Directed by Roger Carr
Langham Court Theatre
January 18, 2017 to February 4
Tickets: https://www.langhamtheatre.ca/boxoffice/tickets/
Set in 1960s Brighton, a skiffle band – think Lonnie Donegan – provides the music for a madcap, chaotic chase as the permanently ravenous Frances Hershall struggles to keep his two masters, a gangster and a woman disguised as man, separated and happy. One Man, Two Guvnors was nominated for seven Tony Awards and received rave reviews on both the West End and Broadway
Gracie by Joan MacLeod
Directed by Vanessa Porteous
Belfry Theatre
January 20-February 19
Tickets: http://www.belfry.bc.ca/tickets/single-tickets/
World Premiere.
Tucked away in a corner of our province is Bountiful, the largest polygamous community in Canada. With her deep empathy and compassion, Joan MacLeod (The Valley) takes us into young Gracie’s world, where events transpire that lead her to question her beliefs.
Footloose
Victoria High School
January 19-21
tickets via the school office or at the door.
I don’t usually include high school productions in my seasonal round-ups but Oak Bay High drama teacher (and member of the Sin City ensemble) Alan Penty is playing the role of Reverend Shaw.
Set in the 80’s in the small town of Bomont, Ren McCormack (Emile Morris) stirs up a fuss as the new kid in town. Meeting new friends, enemies and even a love interest, Ariel Moore (Ashley Richter) along the way, he changes Bomont forever.
It’s a glimse back to the 80’s, with fun dances and a heartwarming story, this show is a must-see!
Sin City the Live Improvised Serial presented by Broad Theatrics
January 24-March 28th, Tuesdays at the Victoria Event Centre
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sin-city-improvised-serial-vegas-61-tickets-27556815176
Sin City Vegas kicks off the New Year with a blockbuster episode featuring a special guest appearance by Patrick Boyle and the UVIC Jazz band.
Set in 1962 Las Vegas, Sin City the Live Improvised Serial visits “Sin City”. Celebrating their sixth season (part three) this all-improvised weekly serial will have you plumbing your vocabulary for more words to describe comedy, hilarity and the unending guffaws, titters, chuckles and giggles that ensue.
Perestroika & Drops in a Broken Fountain
Intrepid Theatre YOU Show
January 26, 8pm
Tickets: at the door
Written by Emma Carter, Perestroika is the story of Rachel, a university student coping with loss and illness and exploring the intricacies of growth, grief, and Gorbachev.
Written by Nadine Cordery, Drops in a Broken Fountain is a play that deals with contemporary issues surrounding the violence between White Power groups and Muslims in Crimea.
Ruddigore by Gilbert and Sullivan, adapted and directed by Glynis Lyshon
music direction Heather Burns
Company C of the Canadian College of Performing Arts
presented at Craigdarroch Castle
January 27-February 5 (two shows daily)
tickets: https://thecastle.ca/events/
Ruddigore, or The Witch’s Curse, originally called Ruddygore, is a comic opera, often referred to as “the supernatural opera”. W.S. Gilbert turns the moral absolutes of melodrama upside down; good becomes bad, bad becomes good, and heroes look to take the easy way out. The Baronets of Ruddigore are cursed, and anyone who succeeds to the title must commit a crime each day, or perish in inconceivable agony.
Murder on the Agenda
Enigmatic Events
Jan 27, 28, Feb 3, 4, 10, 11
Ambrosia Event Centre, 638 Fisgard St
Tickets: http://www.selectyourtickets.com/event.php?event_id=1642
After last year’s successful Murder By Midnight,, Enigmatic Events again joins forces with Vanessa B Baylen to present Murder On The Agenda, a new and highly interactive murder mystery event. The audience is again invited to interrogate suspects and solve puzzles while enjoying a 3-course dinner.
Theatre SKAM Birthday Bash
January 28th
White Eagle Polish Hall
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/theatre-skams-annual-birthday-bash-we-are-22-tickets-29703233170?aff=es2
Theatre SKAM knows how to throw a great dance party!
Join us for a great time with The New Wave as we cut a rug, eat, drink and be merry!
As usual there will be the awesome fun times and live auction and the return of the Winner-Take-All Raffle!….this is our fundraiser after all!
February
The Jazz P@ge, Victoria’s First Word in New Play-Writing
Hosted by Outpost 31 and workingclasstheatre
A series of new play reading nights the first Wednesday of the month
2% Jazz at the Hudson (entry from Fisgard Street)
February 1st
A series of intimate evenings showcasing brand new play readings. Season One debuts with a potpourri of short works by local writers: Kat Taddei of Vino Buono Productions ; David Elendune of Outpost 31 ; Melissa Taylor ; Jason Vikse and Charles Tidler
Just An Ordinary Lawyer by Tayo Aluko
February 2nd
Metro Studio Theatre
Ticket Rocket: http://intrepidtheatre.com/shows/just-an-ordinary-lawyer/
Tayo Aluko, the creator of Call Mr Robeson. A Life, With Songs (seen here in 2013 and 2015) is back for one night only, in partnership with the BC Black History Awareness Society with a show about Tunji Sowande, Britain’s first black judge
Mama’s Boy by Mike Delamont
Metro Studio Theatre
February 3
tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/mamas-boy-tickets-29537550609
From 18 time ‘Best Of The Fest’ winner Mike Delamont and the acclaimed director of Jakes Gift comes a true story of addiction, music, and love in an unforgettable, heartwarming and personal performance.
Setting Sail Vino Buono’s Cabaret Kick-Off Party
Vino Buono Productions
February 3
Intrepid Theatre Club
Inspired by the Italian expression “botte piccola fa vino buono” (a small cask makes good wine), Vino Buono believes that some of the most exhilarating and full-bodied creations come in tiny packages. In the year since the company’s inception, Vino Buono has been involved in four new works by emerging local playwrights, including the award-winning Art of the Eight Limbs (Favourite New Play, Victoria Fringe 2016) and the recent Intrepid Theatre You Show What A Nice Place to Be.
A collaborative effort between a team of local up-and-coming artists, Vino Buono’s mandate is to produce exclusively contemporary works, with a focus on emerging and underrepresented creators. Our Board of Representatives is made up of local artists, including five Phoenix Theatre and UVic playwriting alumni and six current Phoenix and playwriting students.
A Woman’s Guide to Peeing Outside by Holly Brinkman
An Intrepid Theatre YOU Show
February 4
Intrepid Theatre Club
Tickets at the door
A workshop presentation of my all new one-woman storytelling show about growing up, navigating a world which favours men, and consistently getting into strange situations where I really have to pee.
Son of Africville by Justin Carter
February 6
Victoria Event Centre
In celebration of Black History Month. And be sure to check out Carter’s other solo show, My Father to Whom I Am Not Related, February 13th at the VEC
Stemming from the roots of historic Africville, Canada’s largest and oldest black community, SON OF AFRICVILLE is the heartwarming true story of a young man’s journey back to a mother that always loved him. Relived through story and song, Justin Carter tells this autobiographical tale of a mother who gave up her son because of drugs and schizophrenia and their reunion after almost 20 years apart.
Written and Directed by Justin Carter and Dama Hanks, SON OF AFRICVILLE, premiered in Victoria BC in 2009 as part of Puente Theatre’s Work Play. Since its premiere, Justin has toured Son of Africville to critical acclaim in festivals from coast to coast including UNO FESTIVAL in Victoria, BC, THE CHAUTAUQUA THEATRE FESTIVAL in Saskatchewan, and the SUPERNOVA FESTIVAL in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Gut Girls by Sarah Daniels
UVic Phoenix Theatre
February 9 –18, 2017
Tickets: https://finearts.uvic.ca/theatre/phoenix/tickets/
Directed by Alix Reynolds (MFA Candidate)
Foul-mouthed and brash, an unrefined group of young women toil in the Cattle Market slaughterhouses. But not everyone thinks this is an appropriate way for women to earn a living! The gutting sheds are closed down when a well-to-do lady decides to improve their lot in life by training them as maids. The ‘gut girls’ quickly realize that this newfound employment comes at a high price. With sharp dialogue and dazzling humour, Gut Girls cuts right to the heart of women’s struggle for emancipation.
Promageddon: Burning Hunk of Love
Impulse Theatre fundraiser
February 11th
Intrepid Theatre Club
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/promageddon-burning-hunk-o-love-tickets-29997486289
Games! Prizes! Chips! Chaperones! Cash bar!
Impulse Theatre invites you to join us for a Valentine’s Dance you’ll never forget. With the end of the world in sight, why not dance for the love you have, the love you had, and the love yet to come. Say hell no to heteronormality, and dance your socks off.
PROMAGEDDON is a post-apocalyptic party that will hit you with nostalgia for days gone by. Redo your prom experience, make out in the Nurse’s office, or take a seat in our photo bomb booth. You could even be crowned Prom Royalty. All the fun of a high school dance without the emotional hassle of being a teenager.
My Father to Whom I Am Not Related by Justin Carter
February 13
Victoria Event Centre
In celebration of Black History Month.
Adopted at eight years old, Justin Carter relives his early years with his new family with humour and delight. His new Hungarian Mom. His mischievous new siblings. The dogs. The cats. The goats. The travels. From Disneyland to living in Nigeria. All the while watching his new father cope with all that craziness. A man equally devoted to reading, napping, coffee and the CBC. What did Justin learn from his father? How to milk a goat, how to chew soup, but more importantly, how to make mayonnaise toast.
O.F.F.E.R.S: An Improvised Sitcom
Paper Street Theatre Company
February 15-18 | 8pm
Intrepid Theatre Club
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/offers-an-improvised-sitcom-tickets-28408234795
Situational Comedy: it’s the cornerstone of prime TV and it usually involves a catch phrase and a couch. Paper Street Theatre will create a new sitcom each night – complete with opening credits – and perform 3 episodes based on your suggestions.
Age of Arousal by Linda Griffiths, directed by Wendy Merk
Theatre Inconnu
February 16-March 5
Paul Phillips Hall, 1923 Fernwood Road
Tickets: http://www.ticketrocket.co/event/details/94603/age-of-arousal-by-linda-griffiths
This highly praised play, set against a backdrop of the late 19th woman’s suffrage movement in London, was the final play of Linda Griffiths, one of Canada’s most lauded modern theatre voices. The setting is a school for secretaries, where political ideology often butts heads with human desire.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, adapted by Janet Munsil
Chemainus Theatre Festival
February 17-March 25, 2017
Tickets: https://tickets.chemainustheatrefestival.ca/TheatreManager/1/online
Mrs. Bennet simply must secure suitors of a certain social standing for her five daughters. Despite her clever efforts to tie the knots, her family’s future becomes increasingly entangled in Lizzie and Mr. Darcy’s amusing attempts to find true love.
Riders to the Sea
Readers’ Theatre at Langham Court Theatre
February 18th
by donation
Riders to the Sea is a one-act, classic and poetic Irish tragedy set in the Arran Islands off the west coast of Ireland, a forbidding barren place where about the only sustenance is from the wild sea. The inhabitants are hardy and resourceful, but primitive in their ways and beliefs, which have kept them alive despite the hardships and meager comforts. To assist with the singing, keening and accents, Margaret McLynn will be the coach. She lived on the Arran Islands and is an accomplished singer and pianist.
Taking Off by Deborah Williams
Directed by James Fagan Tait
Belfry Theatre
February 21-March 12
Tickets: https://tickets.belfry.bc.ca/TheatreManager/1/online?event=0
World Premiere.
Middle age is tricky territory for Minnie, especially in her relationships with her husband, her children and her female friends.
chorus|line|cabaret, Gotta Getta Gimmick
February 20th
Hermann’s Jazz Club
Tickets $25 available through the Belfry Theatre Box Office
NOTE: New Venue!
Come and watch the curated Act 1, then stay for Act 2 with Sing alongs, jump-ups and Diva Tag. Only rule-all musical theatre, only musical theatre!
Pajama Men in Pterodactyl Nights
Presented by Intrepid Theatre
February 24 & 25
Metro Studio Theatre
Tickets: http://www.ticketrocket.co/search/events?searchText=pajama+men
The Pyjama Men are known for their unique style that blends stand-up, sketch, improv and outlandish characters in strange situations.
The workingclass Opera!
February 25th at the Royal BC Museum
a fundraiser for workingclasstheatre
Tickets: TBA
a fantastic evening of performance, culture, and excitement featuring local talent, food, and drink.
About @lacouvee
Speak Your Mind