Live theatre

Live concerts could return to venues such as Blue Frog Studios in White Rock by year’s end - provided immunizations make a diference and COVID variants are held in check - according to a recent round table including provincial health officer Dr Bonnie Henry and reprsentatives of performing arts groups. (Submitted photo)

B.C. performing arts groups could see gradual return of live events

Round table between Dr. Bonnie Henry and arts groups gives rise to cautious optimism

 

It looked like it was going to be a great last half of the year at the Chemainus Theatre, as artistic director Mark DuMex rolled out the lineup during last October’s show unveiling celebration. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Remainder of 2020 season cancelled at popular Island theatre

Chemainus Theatre Festival succumbs to COVID-19 restrictions on large crowds likely to linger longer

 

Theatre BC president Peter Wienold, of Port Alberni, officially opens Mainstage Festival 2019. The festival, which features eight of the best plays in B.C. in eight days, has been cancelled for 2020. SUSAN QUINN PHOTO

Theatre BC cancels festivals in response to COVID-19

‘Provincials’ of community theatre set to take place on Vancouver Island in July 2020

 

Shows are going on as scheduled currently at the Royal Theatre (above) and McPherson Playhouse in Victoria, with added precautionary disinfecting of surfaces being undertaken to reduce the risk to patrons of contracting COVID-19. Black Press file photo

COVID-19: Precautions being taken, Victoria shows going on so far

Live performance venues ramp up theatre sanitizing measures to help prevent spread of virus

Shows are going on as scheduled currently at the Royal Theatre (above) and McPherson Playhouse in Victoria, with added precautionary disinfecting of surfaces being undertaken to reduce the risk to patrons of contracting COVID-19. Black Press file photo
March (or drive) into the Harbour City this month!

March (or drive) into the Harbour City this month!

From Festival Nanaimo’s 40-plus events to waterfront sights and sounds, mid-Island city has it all

  • Mar 2, 2020
March (or drive) into the Harbour City this month!
Ballet Victoria: Taking a step outside the box

Ballet Victoria: Taking a step outside the box

Company debuting its take on The Little Prince, as well as other new works, March 21-22

Ballet Victoria: Taking a step outside the box
Cast members from the Vic High musical theatre production of Runaways. The show tells the stories of street-entrenched youth in New York, but has been informed by conversations with youth support workers in Victoria. (Photo by Kimberly Sholinder)

Vic High theatre tackles youth homelessness and more in 2020 musical

‘Runaways’ created in New York, but has parallels in Victoria: director

Cast members from the Vic High musical theatre production of Runaways. The show tells the stories of street-entrenched youth in New York, but has been informed by conversations with youth support workers in Victoria. (Photo by Kimberly Sholinder)
Oak Bay High’s presentation of Fiddler on the Roof runs Feb. 28 to March 7 in the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. for the Feb. 28, and 29, March 4 to 7, with a 2 p.m. matinee on March 1. (Travis Paterson/News Staff)

Fiddler on the Roof brings timely message to Oak Bay stage

Musical starts Friday in Dave Dunnet Theatre

Oak Bay High’s presentation of Fiddler on the Roof runs Feb. 28 to March 7 in the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. for the Feb. 28, and 29, March 4 to 7, with a 2 p.m. matinee on March 1. (Travis Paterson/News Staff)
A robotic actor somehow is given the ability to laugh, which leads to hilarious results, in Phoenix Theatre’s newest production, Comic Potential, running Feb. 13-22.

‘Actoids’ hit the stage at UVic’s Phoenix Theatre in February

Robots full of Comic Potential in latest play from UVic’s play

A robotic actor somehow is given the ability to laugh, which leads to hilarious results, in Phoenix Theatre’s newest production, Comic Potential, running Feb. 13-22.
Sheldon Elter, as Clem, and P.J. Prudat, as Mary, go through rehearsals for The Ministry of Grace, running Feb. 4 to March 1 at the Belfry Theatre. Photos by Peter Pokorny

Actors asked to find a spirituality for new Belfry production

Playwright/director Tara Beagan’s The Ministry of Grace tells Indigenous tale of challenge, love

Sheldon Elter, as Clem, and P.J. Prudat, as Mary, go through rehearsals for The Ministry of Grace, running Feb. 4 to March 1 at the Belfry Theatre. Photos by Peter Pokorny
Tony-winning musical comes alive at Langham Court

Tony-winning musical comes alive at Langham Court

Community theatre group takes on Company, Jan. 15 to Feb. 1

  • Jan 5, 2020
Tony-winning musical comes alive at Langham Court
An oversized Scrooge plays a central part in A Wonderheads Christmas Carol, playing Dec. 17 and 18 at the McPherson Playhouse. Photo by Kate Braidwood

Heads up! A new take on A Christmas Carol comes to the Mac

Wonderheads tackle the beloved Dickens classic, Dec. 17-18 at Victoria’s McPherson Playhouse

  • Dec 7, 2019
An oversized Scrooge plays a central part in A Wonderheads Christmas Carol, playing Dec. 17 and 18 at the McPherson Playhouse. Photo by Kate Braidwood
Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre cast members Gabriel Macdonald (left), Rod Peter Jr., Chris Mackie and Amanda Lisman are ready to take The 39 Steps, opening with a preview night tomorrow (Oct. 22) and running through Nov. 3 at the Roxy Theatre. Photo by Theodore Sherman

Season opener: Blue Bridge launches with a spoof of Hitchcock classic

Broadway’s longest-running comedy, The 39 Steps runs Oct. 22 to Nov. 3 at the Roxy Theatre

  • Oct 28, 2019
Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre cast members Gabriel Macdonald (left), Rod Peter Jr., Chris Mackie and Amanda Lisman are ready to take The 39 Steps, opening with a preview night tomorrow (Oct. 22) and running through Nov. 3 at the Roxy Theatre. Photo by Theodore Sherman
Fugget about it! Tony ‘n’ Tina’s Wedding invites you to join the family

Fugget about it! Tony ‘n’ Tina’s Wedding invites you to join the family

Interactive dinner theatre happening Sept. 26-29 at the Edelweiss Club in James Bay

Fugget about it! Tony ‘n’ Tina’s Wedding invites you to join the family
Roy Henry Vickers’ Peace Dancer comes alive again during One Wave Gathering

Roy Henry Vickers’ Peace Dancer comes alive again during One Wave Gathering

Sept. 14 performance by Theatre Inconnu Youth Program part of Pacific Peoples Partnership festival

  • Sep 11, 2019
Roy Henry Vickers’ Peace Dancer comes alive again during One Wave Gathering
VICTORIA FRINGE FEST: There’s always something new to discover on stage

VICTORIA FRINGE FEST: There’s always something new to discover on stage

33rd annual live theatre festival has numerous styles and topics to choose from

VICTORIA FRINGE FEST: There’s always something new to discover on stage
Edwin Wong has created and written a book on a new playwriting form, which he calls the Risk Theatre Model of Tragedy. With the help of Langham Court Theatre, he hosted an international competition for the writing style this year. The winner will workshop their play here in October. Don Descoteau/Monday Magazine

Taking risks: Victoria theatre expert and author gains traction for his new model of tragedy

Edwin Wong releases Risk Theatre book, hosts successful global playwriting competition

  • Aug 20, 2019
Edwin Wong has created and written a book on a new playwriting form, which he calls the Risk Theatre Model of Tragedy. With the help of Langham Court Theatre, he hosted an international competition for the writing style this year. The winner will workshop their play here in October. Don Descoteau/Monday Magazine
Gearing up for their performance in the Victoria Operatic Society’s summer production of Nunsense are (from left) Francesca Bitonti as Sister Mary Hubert, Pam Miller as Reverend Mother Sister Mary Regina, Katie Friesen as Sister Mary Amnesia, Shawna Adams as Sister Robert Anne and Mariah McDonald as Sister Mary Leo. The show runs July 12-14 at the McPherson Playhouse. Courtesy VOS

Irreverent comedy a habit in VOS’ newest show, Nunsense

Musical theatre production by Victoria Operatic Society features three shows in July

  • Jul 8, 2019
Gearing up for their performance in the Victoria Operatic Society’s summer production of Nunsense are (from left) Francesca Bitonti as Sister Mary Hubert, Pam Miller as Reverend Mother Sister Mary Regina, Katie Friesen as Sister Mary Amnesia, Shawna Adams as Sister Robert Anne and Mariah McDonald as Sister Mary Leo. The show runs July 12-14 at the McPherson Playhouse. Courtesy VOS
Blue Bridge brings Neil Simon comedy classic to the stage

Blue Bridge brings Neil Simon comedy classic to the stage

Barefoot in the Park, on July 2-14, enjoyed a run on Broadway before becoming a successful film

  • Jul 2, 2019
Blue Bridge brings Neil Simon comedy classic to the stage
Annual Skampede live theatre event rolls along the Galloping Goose Trail

Annual Skampede live theatre event rolls along the Galloping Goose Trail

Hit the not-so dusty trail with Theatre Skam

  • Jul 2, 2019
Annual Skampede live theatre event rolls along the Galloping Goose Trail