Live theatre

It’s better late than never for the Chemainus Theatre’s 30th anniversary season. Managing director Randy Huber, left, and artistic director Mark DuMez display the pamphlets for the season’s shows. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Chemainus Theatre unveils show lineup for 30th anniversary season

Mix of comedy, award-winning drama and a summer musical blockbuster on the schedule

 

From left: Adjudicator Michael Armstrong with Sarah Kielly (choreographer) and Kelly Barnum (director) from NDSS Dance Company, winners of the Best Play Award at the 2024 One Act Play Festival. (Submitted photo)

Vancouver Island One Act Play Festival wraps up with awards

Festival showcased groups from Qualicum Beach, Nanaimo, Port Alberni and more

 

The Cowichan Musical Society gets ready to present Roald Dahl’s ‘Matilda The Musical’ at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre from Jan. 27 to Feb. 4. Charlotte Wedderspoon-Martin front and centre, wearing a red ribbon steps into her first-ever lead role as Matilda. (Courtesy of Irwin Killam)

Cowichan Musical Society brings Matilda The Musical to the big stage

Matilda plays at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre from Jan. 27 to Feb. 4

 

Vietnam’s Thu Le will be one of the four guitarists travelling from across the globe to take part in this year’s International Guitar Night Jan. 26. (Courtesy of Savarez website)
Vietnam’s Thu Le will be one of the four guitarists travelling from across the globe to take part in this year’s International Guitar Night Jan. 26. (Courtesy of Savarez website)
The Instagram feed of Lou Lou La Duchesse De Riere (Lauren Ashley Jiles) features this image of her Spider act. Costume: @manugeettoi Photo: @carl.theriault.photo

Glamour, power and punk rock defiance found in Victoria burlesque show

‘Burlesque has always been political and it’s always been radical but there’s an interesting shift’

The Instagram feed of Lou Lou La Duchesse De Riere (Lauren Ashley Jiles) features this image of her Spider act. Costume: @manugeettoi Photo: @carl.theriault.photo
The poster for ‘Two Truths and an AI’ was created by Vancouver Island University theatre professor Leon Potter using an AI image generator tool. (Submitted image)

Vancouver Island University challenges audiences to spot the AI play

‘Two Truths and an AI’ will run Dec. 6-8 at the Nanaimo campus

The poster for ‘Two Truths and an AI’ was created by Vancouver Island University theatre professor Leon Potter using an AI image generator tool. (Submitted image)
Damon Calderwood will play Canadian First World War fighter pilot Billy Bishop in ‘Billy Bishop Goes to War,’ staged at Vancouver Island University’s Malaspina Theatre Dec. 1-3. (Submitted photo)

Musical about a Canadian First World War fighter pilot flying into Nanaimo

‘Billy Bishop Goes to War’ to be staged at the Malaspina Theatre, Dec. 1-3

Damon Calderwood will play Canadian First World War fighter pilot Billy Bishop in ‘Billy Bishop Goes to War,’ staged at Vancouver Island University’s Malaspina Theatre Dec. 1-3. (Submitted photo)
Kaden Forsberg is a standout as George Bailey in the Chemainus Theatre Festival's production of 'It's a Wonderful Life'. (Barry Brady photo)

Review: Chemainus Theatre delivers with beloved holiday classic

‘It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play’ like sitting down with an old friend

Kaden Forsberg is a standout as George Bailey in the Chemainus Theatre Festival's production of 'It's a Wonderful Life'. (Barry Brady photo)
It’s A Wonderful Life marks the return of actors familiar to Chemainus Theatre audiences. From left: Abraham Asto, Kate Dion-Richard and Kaden Forsberg. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Radio play in tune with a Christmas classic

‘It’s A Wonderful Life.’ The mere mention of those four words together…

It’s A Wonderful Life marks the return of actors familiar to Chemainus Theatre audiences. From left: Abraham Asto, Kate Dion-Richard and Kaden Forsberg. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Jasmine Case, star of The Fiancee at the Chemainus Theatre, and mom Andrea Morgan enjoy hanging out at Kin Beach in Chemainus. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Proud Ontario mom sees her daughter on stage at the Chemainus Theatre

Jasmine Case’s performance in The Fiancee makes her a local celebrity

Jasmine Case, star of The Fiancee at the Chemainus Theatre, and mom Andrea Morgan enjoy hanging out at Kin Beach in Chemainus. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Rose (Rebbekah Ogden), left, and Lucy (Jasmine Case) in a scene from The Fiancee. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Review: Clever script, perfect casting make The Fiancee a delight

You will still be chortling as you drive home from Chemainus Theatre comedy

Rose (Rebbekah Ogden), left, and Lucy (Jasmine Case) in a scene from The Fiancee. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Rose (Rebbekah Ogden), left, comes face-to-face with Lucy (Jasmine Case) at the kitchen table. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Lucy leads a complicated love life in The Fiancee

Three men will need to sort out who’s her intended in Chemainus Theatre production

Rose (Rebbekah Ogden), left, comes face-to-face with Lucy (Jasmine Case) at the kitchen table. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Brent Dellebuur of Duncan Iron Works displays plaques his company receives for each show for being a season sponsor, autographed by cast members. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Season sponsor plays a major role in Chemainus Theatre productions

Duncan Iron Works puts the pedal to the metal for funding support of the arts

Brent Dellebuur of Duncan Iron Works displays plaques his company receives for each show for being a season sponsor, autographed by cast members. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Katie Gilray, left, Alexandra Hicks and Ida Maidstone will perform ‘Nanaimo’s Got Talent’ at the Black Rabbit Kitchen as part of the Nanaimo Fringe Festival until Aug. 20. (Submitted photo)

Nanaimo Fringe Festival explores personal and perspective-shifting stories

‘Reminders of ReconciliAction’ shows at Port Theatre, ‘Nanaimo’s Got Talent’ at Black Rabbit Kitchen

Katie Gilray, left, Alexandra Hicks and Ida Maidstone will perform ‘Nanaimo’s Got Talent’ at the Black Rabbit Kitchen as part of the Nanaimo Fringe Festival until Aug. 20. (Submitted photo)
Ghost The Musical features Chemainus’ Georgia Bennett and Sean Baker as understudies. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Being an understudy can be a bit overwhelming

Experienced actors make sure the show goes on if needed to fill a role

Ghost The Musical features Chemainus’ Georgia Bennett and Sean Baker as understudies. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Nanaimo’s Port Theatre announced 16 shows for their upcoming Spotlight series, starting Sept. 24. (Submitted images)

Nanaimo’s Port Theatre announces 16 shows for returning Spotlight series

Season features variety of cultural and artistic works starting in the fall

Nanaimo’s Port Theatre announced 16 shows for their upcoming Spotlight series, starting Sept. 24. (Submitted images)
Nanaimo Theatre Group’s cast and crew of ‘The Half-Life of Marie Curie,’ as they appeared at Theatre B.C.’s Mainstage Festival in Surrey on July 14. (Submitted image)

Vancouver Island Marie Curie play wins Theatre B.C.’s top honour

Nanaimo Theatre Group’s ‘The Half-Life of Marie Curie’ also got best director and best actor awards

Nanaimo Theatre Group’s cast and crew of ‘The Half-Life of Marie Curie,’ as they appeared at Theatre B.C.’s Mainstage Festival in Surrey on July 14. (Submitted image)
Jennie Neumann, left, and Madeleine Eddy are enjoying their summer stay in Chemainus to star in Ghost The Musical. (Photo by Jennie Neumann)

Ghost The Musical actors caught up in emotions like everyone else

Memorable experience gaining even more momentum for the final month

Jennie Neumann, left, and Madeleine Eddy are enjoying their summer stay in Chemainus to star in Ghost The Musical. (Photo by Jennie Neumann)
Jennie Neumann (Molly Jensen) and Jacob Woike (Sam Wheat) listen in to Madeleine Eddy (Oda Mae Brown) during ‘Ghost The Musical’. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Review: Phenomenal cast anchors summer blockbuster musical at Chemainus Theatre

‘Ghost the Musical’ sure to be a hit for theatre

Jennie Neumann (Molly Jensen) and Jacob Woike (Sam Wheat) listen in to Madeleine Eddy (Oda Mae Brown) during ‘Ghost The Musical’. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Scene from Ghost The Musical, from left, includes: Jennie Neumann (Molly Jensen), Jacob Woike (Sam Wheat) and Madeleine Eddy (Oda Mae Brown). (Photo by Don Bodger)

Human spirit arises in Ghost The Musical

Chemainus Theatre summer blockbuster features the return of a larger cast to the stage

Scene from Ghost The Musical, from left, includes: Jennie Neumann (Molly Jensen), Jacob Woike (Sam Wheat) and Madeleine Eddy (Oda Mae Brown). (Photo by Don Bodger)