Live theatre

Tara Britt, Maggie Martin and Juliana Monk star in the Kaleidoscope Theatre production of Charlotte’s Web, The Musical, Dec. 28 and 29 at the McPherson Playhouse. Photos courtesy Kaleidoscope Theatre, photo illustration/Don Descoteau

Kaleidoscope weaves a musical theatre web

Wilbur, Charlotte and other beloved figures brought to life on the McPherson stage

  • Dec 20, 2019
Tara Britt, Maggie Martin and Juliana Monk star in the Kaleidoscope Theatre production of Charlotte’s Web, The Musical, Dec. 28 and 29 at the McPherson Playhouse. Photos courtesy Kaleidoscope Theatre, photo illustration/Don Descoteau
Playwright Ann-Marie MacDonald’s twist on Shakespearian theatre, Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet), cranks up the comedy, as portrayed by the students of the Canadian College of Performing Arts. The play runs Dec. 11-14. Facebook

CCPA actors fall down a Shakespearian rabbit hole

Ann-Marie MacDonald’s Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) makes for chaotic theatre fun

  • Dec 7, 2019
Playwright Ann-Marie MacDonald’s twist on Shakespearian theatre, Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet), cranks up the comedy, as portrayed by the students of the Canadian College of Performing Arts. The play runs Dec. 11-14. Facebook
You’re part of the show in Belfry’s newest production

You’re part of the show in Belfry’s newest production

Every Brilliant Thing uses a recreated, more intimate theatre space for this holiday offering

  • Dec 6, 2019
You’re part of the show in Belfry’s newest production
REVIEW: Theatre Inconnu’s Crumble boosted by excellent performances

REVIEW: Theatre Inconnu’s Crumble boosted by excellent performances

Sheila Callaghan’s tale of sadness and despair portrayed in interesting ways on stage

REVIEW: Theatre Inconnu’s Crumble boosted by excellent performances
Emily Anne Pugsley and Nathaniel Exley are among the cast members in the Canadian College of Performing Arts production of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. The college is putting a rather dystopian spin on the story for the play, which runs Dec. 12-14 at the CCPA performance hall. Photo courtesy CCPA

Classic tale of intolerance and morality updated for the CCPA stage

Arthur Miller’s witch hunt parable, The Crucible given a dystopian spin by performing arts college

  • Dec 2, 2019
Emily Anne Pugsley and Nathaniel Exley are among the cast members in the Canadian College of Performing Arts production of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. The college is putting a rather dystopian spin on the story for the play, which runs Dec. 12-14 at the CCPA performance hall. Photo courtesy CCPA
James and Jamesy create a new family Christmas tradition

James and Jamesy create a new family Christmas tradition

O Christmas Tea returns to Vancouver Island

  • Dec 2, 2019
James and Jamesy create a new family Christmas tradition
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! Expressive new take on A Christmas Carol

Wonderheads tackle the beloved Dickens classic in multiple Vancouver Island productions

  • Nov 29, 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
Othello (Tallas Munro, centre) arrives to meet with the Duke and Senators with his retinue, including his trusted advisors Iago (Ciaran Volke, front left) and Michael Cassio (Una Rekić, right). Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Othello runs at the Phoenix Theatre at UVic through Nov. 23. Photo by Dean Kalyan

REVIEW: Shakespearean tragedy shines at the Phoenix

UVic theatre crew hits the right notes with Othello, writes Sheila Martindale

  • Nov 15, 2019
Othello (Tallas Munro, centre) arrives to meet with the Duke and Senators with his retinue, including his trusted advisors Iago (Ciaran Volke, front left) and Michael Cassio (Una Rekić, right). Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Othello runs at the Phoenix Theatre at UVic through Nov. 23. Photo by Dean Kalyan
Matthew Payne as the police officer and Jessica Lowry as Billi star in Secret/e, a powerful drama playing Nov. 27 to Dec. 1 at the Intrepid Theatre Club. Photo by Derek Ford

Criminal injustices come alive on stage in Secret/e

Criminalization of HIV among themes in Rick Waines’ story, opening Nov. 27 at Intrepid Theatre Club

  • Nov 14, 2019
Matthew Payne as the police officer and Jessica Lowry as Billi star in Secret/e, a powerful drama playing Nov. 27 to Dec. 1 at the Intrepid Theatre Club. Photo by Derek Ford
Twisted ‘Rope’ unravelling on stage in Victoria

Twisted ‘Rope’ unravelling on stage in Victoria

Rope, by Patrick Hamilton, was also made into a Hitchcock film in 1948

Twisted ‘Rope’ unravelling on stage in Victoria
Mamma Mia a first for Victoria Operatic Society

Mamma Mia a first for Victoria Operatic Society

Newly rebranded society kicks off its 75th anniversary with popular musical Nov. 22

  • Oct 31, 2019
Mamma Mia a first for Victoria Operatic Society
Belfry’s Bang Bang a comedic take on a tragic tale

Belfry’s Bang Bang a comedic take on a tragic tale

Co-production with Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre runs Oct. 29-Nov. 24 in Fernwood

  • Oct 30, 2019
Belfry’s Bang Bang a comedic take on a tragic tale
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 21, 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
Be a part of a typical Italian-American wedding and reception during Tony ‘n’ Tina’s Wedding at the Edelweiss Club. Photo contributed

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

Be a part of a typical Italian-American wedding and reception during Tony ‘n’ Tina’s Wedding at the Edelweiss Club. Photo contributed
Tymesha Harris performs as Josephine Baker in Josephine. The production won overall favourite show, best solo show and favourite performer for Harris in the Pick of the Fringe awards for the 2019 Victoria Fringe Festival. Photo by Jake Rouse

Best of the 2019 Victoria Fringe Festival revisited

Wonder how others felt about Fringe shows you saw? Find the Pick of the Fringe winners here

Tymesha Harris performs as Josephine Baker in Josephine. The production won overall favourite show, best solo show and favourite performer for Harris in the Pick of the Fringe awards for the 2019 Victoria Fringe Festival. Photo by Jake Rouse
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 23, 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
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
Musical performances are one of many ways to be entertained at the Filberg Festival in Comox, happening this year Aug. 2-5. Courtesy Filberg Festival

Yes Virginia, there is entertainment north of the Malahat

From Nanaimo Fringe to the Filberg Festival, up-Island offers several summer entertainment options

Musical performances are one of many ways to be entertained at the Filberg Festival in Comox, happening this year Aug. 2-5. Courtesy Filberg Festival
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

  • Jun 25, 2019
Blue Bridge brings Neil Simon comedy classic to the stage
The lead characters from Shrek the Musical will delight audience members of all ages in this Victoria Operatic Society production. It takes to the stage at the McPherson Playhouse May 3-12. Image courtesy VOS

VOS transforms the McPherson into a swamp for Shrek The Musical

Victoria Operatic Society’s musical theatre production appeals to all ages

  • Apr 22, 2019
The lead characters from Shrek the Musical will delight audience members of all ages in this Victoria Operatic Society production. It takes to the stage at the McPherson Playhouse May 3-12. Image courtesy VOS