Arkenham Abbey—Theatre for a Dark Night at Craigdarroch Castle October 15-31, 2015.

Arkenham Abbey—Theatre for a Dark Night at Craigdarroch Castle October 14-31, 2015. This year Ian Case of Giggling Iguana Productions and “Castle-show” initiator hands over the reins having announced his retirement in 2014 after 15 fright-filled years. Case will be remembered for hits The Fall of the House of Usher, The War of the Worlds, I Might Be Edgar Allan Poe, The Portrait of Dorian Gray, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, The … [Read more...]

Chelsea Hotel the Songs of Leonard Cohen at the Belfry Theatre, October 20-November 15, 2015. A review.

Chelsea Hotel-the Songs of Leonard Cohen at the Belfry Theatre, October 20-November 15, 2015. A review. For generations of fans, both of his poetry and his music, Leonard Cohen has epitomized the archetype of Writer as tortured, tormented soul. In an audacious move, playwright Tracey Power has dared to tamper with the author’s creation, rendering a startling re-interpretation of the master’s oeuvre. Loosely imaging a solitary and dark night … [Read more...]

Company C presents Marat Sade October 22-25, 2015. Preview.

Company C presents Marat Sade October 22-25, 2015.  Preview. Company C is the Year III collaborative theatre collective of the Canadian College of Performing Arts. During a four month period (September-January) students produce three shows and perform every function necessary to its creation, from acting to stage management to design (set, costumes, light, sound) and publicity/fundraising, assisted by theatre professionals and mentors, … [Read more...]

Ballet BC celebrates 30 years with Triple Bill, presented by Dance Victoria November 13/14 2015

Ballet BC celebrates 30 years with Triple Bill, Presented by Dance Victoria November 13/14, 2015.  Media Release. Dance Victoria is excited to introduce a special admission program to Ballet BC’s Triple bill for their 30th anniversary season. To celebrate this milestone, Dance Victoria is offering free admission to ticket buyers who are 30 years of age. If you are 30, contact the McPherson Box Office for your free ticket. Ballet BC’s Triple … [Read more...]

Grace & Glorie at the Chemainus Theatre Festival October 16-November 7, 2015. A review.

Grace & Glorie at the Chemainus Theatre Festival October 16-November 7, 2015. A review. Believer or non, at some point, life’s big questions come creeping in with the biggest being “why?” when confronted with inevitable difficulties—death, illness, tragedy. Grace & Glorie is a well-written, slow-paced exploration of these questions as city collides with country, education with illiteracy, and youth with age. Grace (Valerie Pearson), … [Read more...]

Loon by the Wonderheads at UVic Phoenix Theatre. Spotlight on Alumni. October 14-24, 2015. A review.

Loon by the Wonderheads at UVic Phoenix Theatre. Spotlight on Alumni. October 14-24, 2015. A review. Since graduating from the University of Victoria in 2003, Kate Braidwood has studied at Dell’Arte International school of physical theatre and founded The Wonderheads with now-husband Andrew Phoenix. By magical transmutation and superb artistic ability, a full size larval mask (see notes at the end) appears to come alive in the character of … [Read more...]

HERE: A Captive Odyssey by William Head on Stage WHoS October 9-November 7, 2015. A review.

HERE: A Captive Odyssey by William Head on Stage WHoS October 9-November 7, 2015. A review. HERE: A Captive Odyssey created by William Head on Stage Prison Theatre (WHoS) and The Prison Arts Collective is an ambitious project and striking reminder of the fleeting nature of our brief human lives. Taking as inspiration the very land itself and working from source material from the Royal BC Museum archives , and William Head’s library as well as … [Read more...]

St Luke’s Players announce 2015-2016 season, their 67th. Victoria BC.

St Luke's Players announce 2015-2016 season, their 67th. Victoria BC. Long before the introduction of professional theatre companies to Victoria, all theatre was community based. One of the oldest troupes is St Luke's Players. Members of the troupe were kind enough to answer a few questions for me. The website states, “From the earliest days the objective of the Players has been to produce (in words of Harry Lukey) “good, clean plays … [Read more...]

You Can’t Take It With You at Langham Court Theatre September 30-October 17, 2015. A review.

You Can’t Take It With You at Langham Court Theatre September 30-October 17, 2015. A review. You Can’t Take It With You, the 1937 Pulitzer Prize winner by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, currently at Langham Court Theatre September 30-October 17, 2015 is a joyous celebration of individuality and unique family bonds. Filled with a riotous explosion of creative juices—from the wacky, off-kilter and impressionistic set, designed by Tony Hubner, … [Read more...]

If We Were Birds by Erin Shields at Theatre Inconnu September 30-October 17, 2015. A review.

If We Were Birds by Erin Shields at Theatre Inconnu September 30-October 17, 2015. A review. A story as old as time, yet as modern as the daily news. Men go to war. Women suffer. If We Were Birds by Dora-award-winning playwright Erin Shields (currently at Theatre Inconnu September 30-October 17, 2015) is unflinching and uncompromising theatre. Weaving myth and modern story in a tapestry of oppression, blood, lust and revenge, Shields … [Read more...]