Season Guide September 2016–May 2017
WHAT:
WHY:
One of this country’s most admired and
Because gathering to tell stories is a part of being
respected professional theatre companies,
human; because we are curious by nature; because
specializing in contemporary plays and focusing
the theatre is the best place in the world to share
on Canadian work.
ideas; and because the work we do is good.
WHERE:
WHO:
In our beautiful and extremely intimate 274-
You – you helped to make last season a grand
seat theatre, made up of two renovated and
success, and we look forward to seeing you
re-purposed churches, in the charming and
again as our journey continues, together with
funky neighbourhood of Fernwood, in the city
Joni and Alice and Hannah and Joan and Kate
of Victoria, on an astonishing island off the west
and Erin and Deborah and Evalyn…and more
coast of our proud yet humble country.
and more and more. With warm regards,
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Ivan Habel,
Michael Shamata,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Capital Campaign It’s been 25 years since we built our lobby.
In the coming months, we’ll announce plans for
With thousands of performances and well over
our new improvements and will be asking for
a million patrons using it, our little jewel of a
your support.
building is starting to show some major wear and tear. This summer we replaced the theatre seats and next summer we’ll be making some major changes to our lobby - all designed to ensure your comfort, accessibility and enjoyment of this wonderful space. We are committed to operating with fiscal responsibility in all of our endeavours, and are on a sound financial footing, owning our
Your support, large or small, will enable us to take advantage of other available funding essentially doubling your contribution. If you would like to learn more about the Capital Campaign or how you can get involved, please contact Susan or Judi at 250-385-6835 or visit www.belfry.bc.ca/capital-campaign-1millionchallenge Thank you!
building outright. 3
MAINSTAGE 1
September 20— October 16, 2016
“…wit, intelligence, power and compassion…
female monarch. I love its modern dress and
superb...” TORONTO STAR
modern language. This play premiered last
“…funny and fanciful…entertaining and absorbing…” NATIONAL POST “…dynamic, engrossing…truly excellent theatre” POSTMEDIA
summer at the Stratford Festival, and I am proud that we are giving it its second production. MICHAEL SHAMATA
CAST
This contemporary re-imagining of the
Sean Baek, Oliver Becker, Ellis James Frank,
compelling relationship between Henry VIII
Anie Richer, Celine Stubel, and Mahalia Golnosh
and his last wife, Katherine Parr, is a witty and
Tahririha
powerful examination of sexual politics. It’s a dangerous game of chess with Henry’s offspring,
CREATIVE TEAM
Mary, Elizabeth and Edward as pawns.
Esther Jun Director
A co-production with the Great Canadian Theatre Company (Ottawa). WHY I CHOSE THIS PLAY
The moment I read this script, I knew it was a ‘Belfry play.’ Smart, contemporary, and witty, it confidently and proudly looks at history through a female lens. Katherine Parr’s brains are sexy to Henry, and her mentorship of the young Elizabeth paves the way for a strong
Shannon Lea Doyle Designer Martin Conboy Lighting Designer John Gzowski Sound Designer Jennifer Swan Stage Manager Jessica McLeod Assistant Stage Manager AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT EVENTS B4PLAY ·
Saturday, September 17, 11 am
TALKBACK · Thursday, September 29 VOCALEYE ·
Sunday, October 16, 2 pm
SUPPORTED BY
5
MAINSTAGE 2
November 8— December 4, 2016 Hotel and wanted an excuse to invite some of WORLD PREMIERE
them back! What could be more fun than reexamining these remarkable songs and finding
“One of the greatest songwriters ever.”
new variations? MS
ROLLING STONE
“...Joni Mitchell may stand as the most important
CAST INCLUDES
and influential female recording artist of the late
Jonathan Gould, Evangelia Kambites, Linda
20th century.” ALLMUSIC
Kidder, and Anton Lipovetsky
“LA is my workplace. BC is my heartbeat.” JONI MITCHELL
CREATIVE TEAM
Michael Shamata Concept / Director
A romantic musical event built around the
Tobin Stokes Arranger / Musical Director
songs of Joni Mitchell. With hits like Big Yellow
Cory Sincennes Designer
Taxi, Chelsea Morning, Both Sides Now and You
Alan Brodie Lighting Designer
Turn Me On I’m a Radio, Joni Mitchell continues
Amy Jewell Stage Manager
to inspire artists ranging from Crosby, Stills,
Christopher Sibbald Assistant Stage Manager
Nash and Young to Kanye West; from James Taylor to Sarah McLachlan.
AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT EVENTS B4PLAY ·
Saturday, November 5, 11 am
WHY I CHOSE THIS PLAY
TALKBACK ·
Thursday, November 17
Simple: I wanted music in the season, and
VOCALEYE ·
Sunday, November 27, 2 pm
could think of no more iconic Canadian singersongwriter than our beloved Joni Mitchell. I also fell in love with the performers in Chelsea
SUPPORTED BY
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MAINSTAGE 3
January 20— February 19, 2017 and this audience. Gracie is that play – and it is a WORLD PREMIERE
beautiful study of a young girl as she gradually develops a sense of self and self-direction.
“One of the most important playwrights
Approaching Gracie’s situation with the same
working in Canada today” TORONTO STAR
absence of judgement that made The Valley so
“Joan MacLeod has written deeply complex
compelling, Joan has given us a moving portrait
characters who pulse with life and humour”
of a moral quandary. MS
CBC RADIO
CAST
Tucked away in a corner of our province is Bountiful, the largest polygamous community in Canada. With deep empathy and compassion, Joan MacLeod (The Valley) takes us into young Gracie’s world, where she has cause to question the faith she’s always lived by.
Lili Beaudoin CREATIVE TEAM
Vanessa Porteous Director Catherine Hahn Designer Narda McCarroll Lighting Designer
A co-production with Alberta Theatre Projects
Tobin Stokes Composer & Sound Designer
(Calgary).
Jennifer Swan Stage Manager Sadie Fox Apprentice Stage Manager
WHY I CHOSE THIS PLAY
How blessed we are to have playwright Joan MacLeod living in our midst! We commissioned Joan to write a play specifically for this theatre
AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT EVENTS B4PLAY ·
Saturday, January 21, 11 am
TALKBACK · Thursday, February 2 VOCALEYE ·
Sunday, February 12, 2 pm
SUPPORTED BY
The Leon and Thea Koerner Foundation 9
MAINSTAGE 4
April 18— May 14, 2017 to Victoria to perform Alice Munro, I was taken WORLD PREMIERE
with the idea of putting her words onstage. With their blessing and guidance, we have
“…you, dear Alice Munro, have come close to
chosen our own Munro stories, and we’ll all be
solving the greatest mystery of them all – the
able to revel in her sublime writing and blessed
human heart.” NOBEL PRIZE AWARD CEREMONY
humanity. MS
The master of the contemporary short story,
CAST INCLUDES
Alice Munro won the Nobel Prize for Literature
Caroline Gillis, Marci T. House, and Kevin Loring
in 2013. In this world premiere, we’ll perform two of Alice’s short stories, word-for-word, in a unique theatrical event that celebrates her exceptional language and the audience’s imagination.
CREATIVE TEAM
Anita Rochon Director Peter Hartwell Designer Alan Brodie Lighting Designer Antoine Bedard Sound Designer
WHY I CHOSE THIS PLAY
Jennifer Swan Stage Manager
I was approached by Word for Word, a theatre
Breanne Harmon Assistant Stage Manager
company in San Francisco. For over 20 years they have been putting short stories onstage
AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT EVENTS
“word-for-word,” and they wanted to bring
B4PLAY ·
to the Belfry their Alice Munro show. While I
TALKBACK · Thursday, April 27
couldn’t justify bringing an American company
VOCALEYE ·
Saturday, April 15, 11 am Sunday, May 7, 2 pm
SUPPORTED BY
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This Little Light B O O K & LYR I C S
ERIN MACKLEM M U S I C & LYR I C S
B R A D L’ É C U Y E R
December 10—23, 2016
WHY I CHOSE THIS PLAY WORLD PREMIERE
This sweet and tuneful musical has been in development at the Belfry for over two years. It
This holiday season we’ll bring you this
has grown and blossomed, and is ready to be
melodious musical as a staged presentation.
shared! With its holiday setting, its emphasis
A beautiful way to celebrate the season and
on community and social responsibility, it is a
a special way to experience this brand new
perfect follow-up to last season’s production of
musical play, written specifically for Victoria and
A Christmas Carol. Plus it has wonderful songs!
Fernwood.
With the voices of CCPA’s Company C members,
Starring Company C from the Canadian College
together with community choirs, the Belfry
of the Performing Arts, and choirs from George
Theatre will be filled with gorgeous music at this
Jay Elementary, Central Middle School and
family time of the year. MS
Victoria High School, plus other special guests. CREATIVE TEAM
Jane Johanson Director Brad L’Écuyer Musical Director Bryan Kenney Lighting Designer Jessica McLeod Stage Manager
SUPPORTED BY
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STUDIO
February 21—March 12, 2017
WORLD PREMIERE
STARRING
Deborah Williams Life seems like one big To Do list for Minnie: a middle-aged, middle class, mildly medicated mother, wife and self-employed “daughter-forhire.” What she needs is a weekend away with her BFF.
CREATIVE TEAM
James Fagan Tait Director Carole Klemm Set Designer Erin Macklem Costume Designer Bryan Kenney Lighting Designer
WHY I CHOSE THIS PLAY
Malcolm Dow Sound Designer
Deborah Williams played dear, sad Sonia in
Jessica McLeod Stage Manager
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. One of the writer/performers of Mom’s the Word, and the Belfry’s Associate Artist, Deborah has been working with us on this play for a couple of years. I programmed it because it speaks to our audience with Deb’s wry, sardonic sense of humour, and her enormous heart. MS
SUPPORTED BY
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March 12—26, 2017 SPIN
“By giving the women of the 1920s a voice, Moscovitch has given many contemporary women a voice as well.” GLOBE & MAIL]
by Evalyn Perry
THIS IS NOT A CONVERSATION
(Buddies In Bad Times Theatre, Toronto)
by Itai Erdal, Dima Alansari & Ker Wells
“Part theatre, part music gig, part spoken word
(Elbow Theatre, Vancouver)
poetry, part documentary: whatever it is, it is
“Itai’s stories are personal, intimate, open and
brilliant.” TORONTO STAR
brave; they have a sensitive tone and turn to
“SPIN makes something beautiful out of taking
the very essence of human condition, namely
your life into your own hands.” GLOBE & MAIL “…a show with as much heart as it possesses design and brains.” CALGARY HERALD
WHAT A YOUNG WIFE OUGHT TO KNOW by Hannah Moscovitch (2b Theatre, Halifax) “Moscovitch, a 2014 finalist for the Siminovitch Prize in Theatre, has added a painful, poetic piece of Canadian history to the literature of this country.” A HALIFAX HERALD 16
history, family, cultural background, social and political constraints.” ART VANGUARD
REVERBERATIONS by Brian Linds (Victoria) World Premiere. As an actor and sound designer, Brian has created a site-specific performance piece exploring sound as a narrative form. Reverberations reflects a man’s life through soundscapes in five different rooms of a house. Five performers respond to the sonic environments of each room. Developed with the assistance of the Belfry’s New Incubator Project.
WHY WE ARE HERE! created by Martin Julien and Brian Quirt (Nightswimming, Toronto) This is an invitation to sing with other people. No experience required but it is an experience.
Season Ticket holders can purchase Spring Vouchers to save on SPARK Festival tickets. Single tickets for SPARK shows go on sale this fall.
JOAN by Matthew Payne (Theatre SKAM, Victoria) For over thirty years Joan attended arts happenings in the city, finishing most evenings at Swan’s, dancing to live music. In 2007 she
Left; Liisa Repo-Martell and David Patrick Flemming in What A Young Wife Ought To Know - Photo by Timothy Richard Right; Evalyn Parry in SPIN - Photo by Jeremy Mimnagh
SUPPORTED BY
entered extended care after she fell and was declared incapable. Actor and playwright Matthew Payne decided he would be her voice. This journey is at the heart of this project. Theatre SKAM’s production of Joan will run at
CVV Magazine
The Metro Theatre as part of the SPARK Festival from March 17 to 23, 2017.
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Audience Engagement Live Events Throughout the season we’ll host a number of events that will deepen your experience at the Belfry or just plain astound you. Dates are listed on our show pages and online.
B4PLAY
TALKBACK THURSDAY
Live talk shows, hosted by CBC Radio’s Gregor
Meet the actors post-performance when they
Craigie, and featuring artists from the upcoming
return to the stage to answer questions and
show, along with experts from the community,
provide insight into the play.
have been designed to provide insight into each Mainstage production. Each event is recorded, podcast on our website and some segments are broadcast on CBC’s On The Island. AFTERPLAY
Facilitated discussions – audience member to audience member – following every evening Mainstage performance (except Opening Night and Talkback Thursday). These are a great opportunity to share your thoughts and hear how fellow patrons reacted to the show.
THE FLAME
A live storytelling event, hosted by actor/writer Deborah Williams, featuring real people telling real stories. These evenings feature musical guests and surprising stories from your friends and neighbours. BOOKSMACK
Librarians go head-to-head as they race against the clock to speed review their favourite books in these fun and competitive events, co-presented with the Greater Victoria Public Library.
Worldplay Presented by Puente Theatre and hosted by the Belfry, Worldplay is a festival of staged readings of plays from around the world. Worldplay runs in January / February each year and is an incredible opportunity to hear voices from around the world. Past festivals have featured work from China, Chile, Nigeria, Iraq, Egypt, Iran, Mexico, USA, Lithuania, Russia, South Africa, India, Syria, the Philippines and Barbados. A talkback follows each staged reading.
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Online + Print
Accessible Performances
PODCASTS
VOCALEYE
Hear and download the full interviews from
For our patrons with low or no vision, we
each B4Play and recent stories from The Flame
offer one VocalEye performance during each
at soundcloud.com/belfrytheatre.
Mainstage production. Trained Audio Describers
UPSTAGE MAGAZINE
Our free in-house magazine, providing insight into each Mainstage production and further enriching your experience is available by mail, email, on our website, and in the Lobby. Let us know if you would like an advance copy.
provide descriptions of the visual elements of the show, allowing people with low vision to enjoy the theatrical experience without missing any of the details. HEARING ASSIST
For patrons who are hard of hearing, the theatre is equipped with an infra-red hearing assist
In Person READING COPIES OF SCRIPTS
Read the play before or after you see it. We have scripts available at the Box Office, for reading in the Lobby. BUILDING TOURS
Explore our beautiful heritage building. Call
system. We have 6 devices available through the Box Office. FREE CHILDCARE PERFORMANCES
To help young parents experience the Belfry, we offer inexpensive tickets and free childcare for young families on select Sunday afternoons. To book your tickets and a spot for your kids (between 3 - 10 years old), please call our Box Office at 250-385-6815.
Erin Macklem at 250-385-6835 to book a free tour. Tours are dependent on our production schedule. SCRIPTS FOR SALE
New this year – the Belfry Bookshelf! Browse the new shelves in the lobby and purchase your own copies of Canadian plays, including local playwrights and playwrights who have been part of recent Belfry seasons.
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Tickets We offer you four ways to enjoy the Belfry.
SINGLE TICKETS
Single tickets for our Mainstage productions, This Little Light and Taking Off are on sale now. SPARK Festival tickets will go on sale later in the Fall.
SEASON TICKETS
You’ll receive one ticket for each Mainstage production with benefits including:
Ticket Information
SAVINGS - You can save up to 33% over single
SINGLE TICKET DISCOUNTS
ticket prices.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
BEST SEATS
- As a season ticket holder you are
always at the front of the line. You’ll always get the best available seats. FLEXIBILITY
- We have 8 different season ticket
packages. One is sure fit your budget and schedule. DINING DISCOUNT CARD
– 50%
UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE / POST SECONDARY STUDENTS – 25% SENIORS – 10% MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY – 25%
(with valid ID) BELFRY FUTURES FUND
- Subscribe to the
You’re all part of our future too. A portion
Saturday at 4 pm package and you’ll receive a
of every subscription and ticket purchase is
dining discount card - entitling you to discounts
directed toward the Belfry Futures Fund, a special
at several local restaurants.
reserve to ensure the long term vitality of our facility and programming.
SPRING VOUCHERS
For our Season Ticket Holders who wish to see
SERVICE CHARGES
work outside our Mainstage Series, we offer
We don’t really have any. If you would like us to
Spring Vouchers that you can use to see This
mail your single tickets to you in advance, we
Little Light, Taking Off, or our always exciting
will charge you $1.50 to cover postage and the
SPARK Festival. Spring Vouchers are just $20
cost of the envelope. That’s all.
each, and you can add as many vouchers as you wish to your Season Ticket package.
TICKET EXCHANGES
Tickets may be exchanged for another FLEX PASS
performance (within that production/subject to
Our Flex Pass, four vouchers you can use in any
availability) providing they are received at the
combination, gives you the opportunity to pick
Box Office (in person, by mail, fax or email) 24
and choose the shows you’d like to see. Perfect
hours prior to the performance for which they
for those who like to travel. You can book your
were issued. Exchanges are $1 per ticket (free for
seats at any time.
season ticket holders). If exchanging for a higherpriced ticket, you will be asked to pay the difference.
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How to Buy Tickets
We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, debit card, cheques, and, of course,
BY TELEPHONE
cash.
250-385-6815
BOX OFFICE HOURS
Please have your credit card ready, as well as the date and time of the performance
During Performance Weeks Monday 9:30 am – 5 pm
you wish to attend.
Tuesday – Thursday 9:30 am – 6:30 pm
ONLINE
Friday – Saturday 9:30 – 7:00 pm
Visit www.belfry.bc.ca/tickets, and buy
Tuesday – Sunday one hour prior to curtain
your single tickets online, anytime.
time for in-person sales and pickups only.
IN PERSON
During Non-performance Weeks
Drop by our Box Office, 1291 Gladstone
Monday – Friday 9:30 am – 5 pm
Avenue at Fernwood.
Season Ticket Savings Chart Package
Price
4 single tickets
Previews
$86 $120
Tuesday
$96 $120
Savings (up to) 28% 20%
Wednesday Matinee $121
$180
33%
Wednesday / Thursday $141
$196
28%
Friday
$156 $212
26%
Saturday Matinee $156 $212
26%
Saturday Evening $156 $212
26%
Sunday Matinee
$141
22%
Flex Pass
$166 Variable
$180
All ticket sales are non-refundable. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice. GST is not included.
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Map Pembroke
Pembroke
Gladstone
P
Stanley
Caledonia
Gladstone
Fernwood
Chambers
Victoria High School
Vining
Camosun
Grant
Balmoral
ie
gb
Pandora
Be
Getting Here FREE PARKING
BUS SERVICE
You may park free of charge in the Victoria
The Belfry is serviced directly by the 22 Haultain
High School parking lots during any evening
/ Burnside Bus. Routes 1, 2,10, 24, 25, 27 & 28 all
or weekend performance. During our weekday
stop within three blocks of the theatre. Routes
matinees, that parking lot is reserved, and your
11 & 14 stop within five blocks of the theatre.
car will be towed. Please use the street parking indicated on the map. If you park in zones marked “Residential� you will be ticketed.
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BICYCLES
There are a number of bike racks in the courtyard outside the theatre.
Seating Plan
MAIN FLOOR
MAIN FLOOR
G
F
E D
3
2
1
2
1
C
3
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1
B
1
A
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G
F
E D C
STAGE STAGE
BALCONY BALCONY
D
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6
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C
14 15 16 1 7 1 12 13 8
B
A
8
7 5
5 4
4 3
3 2
2
1
1
A
B
A
B
C
30 8 29 27 2
27 28 25 26
31 9 30 28 2
D
6
5
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1
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27
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24 23
D
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A
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11
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4
15 16 17 18 13 14 19
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B
A
15 16 17 18 19 13 14 20 12
A
3
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10
12 13 14 15 1 6 17 10 11
C
B
11
9
D
D
9
8
STAGE
STAGE
Design & Illustrations by Jeff Kulak / Photos - Michael Shamata and Ivan Habel (2) / Celine Stubel in The Last Wife (4) / Lili Beaudoin in Gracie (8) / Deborah Williams in Taking Off (12) - Photos by Jo-Ann Richards, Works Photography / Keay & Associates Architecture Ltd (3) / Special Thanks to Diana Nielsen, Erin Macklem and Pacific Opera Victoria.
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Get your tickets today! 250-385-6815 hello@belfry.bc.ca www.belfry.bc.ca
1291 Gladstone Avenue Victoria, BC, V8T 1G5 Administration 250-385-6835
THE LAST WIFE
WHAT A YOUNG WIFE
by Kate Hennig
OUGHT TO KNOW
I THINK I’M FALLIN’—
by Hannah Moscovitch
THE SONGS OF JONI MITCHELL
THIS IS NOT A CONVERSATION
Conceived by Michael Shamata
by Itai Erdal, Dima Alansari & Ker Wells
THIS LITTLE LIGHT
JOAN
Book & Lyrics by Erin Macklem,
by Matthew Payne
Music & Lyrics by Brad L’Écuyer GRACIE
by Joan MacLeod TAKING OFF
by Deborah Williams
REVERBERATIONS
by Brian Linds WHY ARE WE HERE!
by Martin Julien and Brian Quirt ALICE MUNRO STORIES
SPIN
by Evalyn Parry Charitable Registration Number 119215549 RR0001.
SEASON SPONSORS
PUBLIC FUNDERS
All plays and players subject to availability. All ticket sales are non-refundable. Ticket prices are subject to change. GST is not included.