Live theatre

Peggy Baker will perform her latest production ‘Unmoored’ in Nanaimo at the Malaspina Theatre on May 29. In her spoken word and movement piece, she hopes to open discussions on mortality and disability. (Photo by Aleksandar Antonijevic)

Dance piece coming to Nanaimo will delve into caregiving and mortality

Peggy Baker’s spoken-word and movement piece ‘Unmoored’ will show at the Malaspina Theatre on May 29

Peggy Baker will perform her latest production ‘Unmoored’ in Nanaimo at the Malaspina Theatre on May 29. In her spoken word and movement piece, she hopes to open discussions on mortality and disability. (Photo by Aleksandar Antonijevic)
Lead cast members for the upcoming Colquitz middle school production of Newsies gather around some set pieces, including an articulating printing press. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Saanich fine arts teacher still making the news

Caroline Mackenzie and Colquitz crew debut new production of Newsies on May 31

Lead cast members for the upcoming Colquitz middle school production of Newsies gather around some set pieces, including an articulating printing press. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
Host and comic Steve Patterson, flanked by comics Derek Seguin and Erica Sigurdson, brings the hilarious spontaneity of The Debaters Live on Tour to the Royal Theatre on May 13. (Photos, from left, by Joep Hovens, John Hryniuk and courtesy Erica Sigurdson)

The Debaters offers Victoria audience a fun escape from the day’s news

People have to learn to laugh again, says Steve Patterson, host of May 13 show

Host and comic Steve Patterson, flanked by comics Derek Seguin and Erica Sigurdson, brings the hilarious spontaneity of The Debaters Live on Tour to the Royal Theatre on May 13. (Photos, from left, by Joep Hovens, John Hryniuk and courtesy Erica Sigurdson)
Shrek and Fiona, Elijah Bell and Gracie Vanthuyne, rehearse a scene from the CCPA production of Shrek the Musical, starting May 6 at the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre in Oak Bay High. (Courtesy CCPA)

Oak Bay performing arts students tackle 40 unique characters of Shrek

Canadian College of Performing Arts’ new musical opens at Dave Dunnet theatre May 6

Shrek and Fiona, Elijah Bell and Gracie Vanthuyne, rehearse a scene from the CCPA production of Shrek the Musical, starting May 6 at the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre in Oak Bay High. (Courtesy CCPA)
The 39 Steps with Aidan deSalaiz, Felix LeBlanc, Caitlin Driscoll and Alexandra Brynn is on stage at the Chemainus Theatre April 22-May 22. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Review: Fast-paced Chemainus Theatre show just plain funny

The 39 Steps will have you guffawing at regular intervals

The 39 Steps with Aidan deSalaiz, Felix LeBlanc, Caitlin Driscoll and Alexandra Brynn is on stage at the Chemainus Theatre April 22-May 22. (Photo by Don Bodger)
The cast of The 39 Steps. Back from left: Aidan deSalaiz and Alexandra Brynn. Front: Felix LeBlanc and Caitlin Driscoll. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Laughter generated from The 39 Steps the best medicine

Cast members prepared to deliver a much-needed respite for the audience

The cast of The 39 Steps. Back from left: Aidan deSalaiz and Alexandra Brynn. Front: Felix LeBlanc and Caitlin Driscoll. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Cirque du Soliel returns to Victoria with OVO this June. (Courtesy Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre)

Cirque du Soleil returns to Victoria this spring with OVO

Seven performances will transform Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in June

Cirque du Soliel returns to Victoria with OVO this June. (Courtesy Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre)
Daniel Lapp directs the Joy of Life choir, which plays a key role in the return of the Joy of Life concert to the Alix Goolden Performance Hall on April 16. (Mark Nicol/courtesy Victoria Conservatory of Music)

COMING UP: Live music, theatre and more make April notable in Victoria

From spoken word to live jazz, Joy of Life to UNOFest, patrons have options

Daniel Lapp directs the Joy of Life choir, which plays a key role in the return of the Joy of Life concert to the Alix Goolden Performance Hall on April 16. (Mark Nicol/courtesy Victoria Conservatory of Music)
From left: Peggy Pearce, Rowan O’Callaghan, Sherri Wade and John Felice will appear in ECHO Players’ newest production ‘How It Works’ at the Village Theatre in Qualicum Beach, which will run April 21 until May 8, 2022. (Submitted photo)

ECHO Players set to stage production of ‘How It Works’ in Qualicum Beach

Performance to run from April 21 to May 8 at Village Theatre

From left: Peggy Pearce, Rowan O’Callaghan, Sherri Wade and John Felice will appear in ECHO Players’ newest production ‘How It Works’ at the Village Theatre in Qualicum Beach, which will run April 21 until May 8, 2022. (Submitted photo)
Chemainus Theatre artistic director Mark DuMez, left, and managing director Randy Huber between the banners for The 39 Steps and Glory that were on the schedule for 2020 before the pandemic and are now again prominent for the 2022 season. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Smaller casts, but still big performances on the Chemainus Theatre 2022 show schedule

The 39 Steps and Glory return to the lineup from postponed 2020 season

Chemainus Theatre artistic director Mark DuMez, left, and managing director Randy Huber between the banners for The 39 Steps and Glory that were on the schedule for 2020 before the pandemic and are now again prominent for the 2022 season. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Peter Houghton, left, Inge Illman and Adrian Sly perform in Victoria Gilbert & Sullivan Society’s Spring Concert in Oak Bay, March 20 and 27. (Courtesy Victoria Gilbert and Sullivan Society)

Greater Victoria performers return to public stage with Gilbert and Sullivan favourites

Community theatre group hits Oak Bay stage on March 20 and 27

Peter Houghton, left, Inge Illman and Adrian Sly perform in Victoria Gilbert & Sullivan Society’s Spring Concert in Oak Bay, March 20 and 27. (Courtesy Victoria Gilbert and Sullivan Society)
Grade 12 student Taryn Mitchell plays the Leading Player in Royal Bay secondary’s upcoming performances of Pippin. The musical marks the return of live, in-person performances to the school’s Teechamitsa Theatre after the pandemic shut the doors to the public. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

‘A real experience’: Royal Bay secondary returns to the stage with Pippin

Musical marks the first in-person performance at the school since pandemic started

Grade 12 student Taryn Mitchell plays the Leading Player in Royal Bay secondary’s upcoming performances of Pippin. The musical marks the return of live, in-person performances to the school’s Teechamitsa Theatre after the pandemic shut the doors to the public. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Vic High cast members for Ranked, The Musical gather for a promotional photo. (Photo courtesy of Kim Sholinder)

Victoria High School theatre crew tackles social commentary of Ranked

Running March 9 to 12 at Esquimalt High theatre, story explores themes of privilege around academics

Vic High cast members for Ranked, The Musical gather for a promotional photo. (Photo courtesy of Kim Sholinder)
The cast of the Wizard of Oz is set to perform in early March at Claremont Secondary School in Saanich. (Photo courtesy of Chelsea Giordano)

Claremont musical theatre students bring Wizard of Oz to Saanich theatre

Performances occur from March 2 to 5 and March 9 to 12, two matinees available

The cast of the Wizard of Oz is set to perform in early March at Claremont Secondary School in Saanich. (Photo courtesy of Chelsea Giordano)
Christine Fagan (Madame De La Grande Bouche), Georgie Weeks Heyd (Mrs.Potts), Amy Hovey (Babette), Grant Mellemstrand (Lumiere) and Jim Cleough (Cogsworth) make up part of the cast as the Cowichan Musical Society is back after two years to present Disney’s Broadway hit musical ‘Beauty and the Beast!’ (Submitted by Irwin Killam)

2-year hiatus over as Cowichan Musical Society presents ‘Beauty and the Beast’

Disney favourite features plethora of local talent

Christine Fagan (Madame De La Grande Bouche), Georgie Weeks Heyd (Mrs.Potts), Amy Hovey (Babette), Grant Mellemstrand (Lumiere) and Jim Cleough (Cogsworth) make up part of the cast as the Cowichan Musical Society is back after two years to present Disney’s Broadway hit musical ‘Beauty and the Beast!’ (Submitted by Irwin Killam)
SKAM Theatre Company’s rolling outdoor venue can be brought virtually anywhere there’s space for two cars in Greater Victoria, on order. (Photo courtesy SKAM.ca)

SKAM brings its mobile live theatre to you, for a donation

Dec. 17 to 19 final weekend to book a live performance where you are, two show options available

SKAM Theatre Company’s rolling outdoor venue can be brought virtually anywhere there’s space for two cars in Greater Victoria, on order. (Photo courtesy SKAM.ca)
Grace Sinats (centre) plays Eddie Scrooge, a 17-year-old with a bah-humbug attitude. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Claremont students bring modern version of Scrooge to Saanich

Humbug High, showing Dec. 9 to 11, features in-person and livestream options for audiences

Grace Sinats (centre) plays Eddie Scrooge, a 17-year-old with a bah-humbug attitude. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Victoria On Stage Musical Theatre Society hosts its annual holiday concert in a streamed format Dec. 17 to 19. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Victoria musical theatre group stages free Christmas show – Santa shoutouts for a fee

For $15 online viewers can submit up to three names for an on-screen shout-out

Victoria On Stage Musical Theatre Society hosts its annual holiday concert in a streamed format Dec. 17 to 19. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Gregg Perry, left, and Dr. Don Hilton are happy to lend their support to the Chemainus Theatre’s Return To Stage campaign. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Funding campaigns help Chemainus Theatre stage a comeback

Matching donations go a long way toward 2022 full season reopening

Gregg Perry, left, and Dr. Don Hilton are happy to lend their support to the Chemainus Theatre’s Return To Stage campaign. (Photo by Don Bodger)
The Blue Bridge Theatre Society’s recent decision to sell the Roxy Theatre followed the Salvation Army’s listing of the Stan Hagen Centre for Families next door on Quadra Street. (Don Denton/Black Press Media)

Victoria’s Blue Bridge Theatre Society puts Roxy up for sale

Company pledges to finish 2021/22 season in Quadra Village, considers potential partnerships

The Blue Bridge Theatre Society’s recent decision to sell the Roxy Theatre followed the Salvation Army’s listing of the Stan Hagen Centre for Families next door on Quadra Street. (Don Denton/Black Press Media)