Live theatre

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
Director Anita Rochon, left is directing the Belfry Theatre’s upcoming production of 4000 Miles by Amy Herzog. The lead roles are played by Brenda Robins (grandmother), centre top, and Nathan Howe (Leo), while Lucy McNulty plays Bec. Photos courtesy Belfry Theatre

Grandma and grandson bond over 4000 Miles on stage at the Belfry

Tender drama focuses on family and romantic relationships, April 9 to May 5

  • Mar 18, 2019
Director Anita Rochon, left is directing the Belfry Theatre’s upcoming production of 4000 Miles by Amy Herzog. The lead roles are played by Brenda Robins (grandmother), centre top, and Nathan Howe (Leo), while Lucy McNulty plays Bec. Photos courtesy Belfry Theatre
Hear all Four Seasons in one this spring with Jersey Boys at Victoria’s Royal Theatre

Hear all Four Seasons in one this spring with Jersey Boys at Victoria’s Royal Theatre

Tickets go on sale Friday for hit Broadway musical, playing May 28 to June 2

Hear all Four Seasons in one this spring with Jersey Boys at Victoria’s Royal Theatre
Golden Girls get the puppet treatment

Golden Girls get the puppet treatment

Tribute show Thank You For Being a Friend brings TV favourite to McPherson stage

  • Jan 24, 2019
Golden Girls get the puppet treatment
The Belfry Theatre production of playwright Matthew MacKenzie’s Bears runs Jan. 29 to Feb. 24. Photo by Max Telzerow Photography

Belfry play taps into writer’s feelings around his Indigenous heritage

Bears takes you on a wild ride through the surreal and the real

  • Jan 10, 2019
The Belfry Theatre production of playwright Matthew MacKenzie’s Bears runs Jan. 29 to Feb. 24. Photo by Max Telzerow Photography
Primary cast members from the Victoria Operatic Society production of Rent, gather for a group shot. The show runs at the McPherson Playhouse Nov. 23 to Dec. 2. Photo by Jesse Polito/courtesy VOS

Rent-heads unite: VOS tackles iconic rock musical

Subject matter of HIV, poverty, gentrification, tent city will resonate with Victoria audiences

Primary cast members from the Victoria Operatic Society production of Rent, gather for a group shot. The show runs at the McPherson Playhouse Nov. 23 to Dec. 2. Photo by Jesse Polito/courtesy VOS
Heidi Damayo (Thai) and Andrew McNee (Mustard) star in Mustard by Kat Sandler, running Oct. 30 through Nov. 25 at The Belfry Theatre. Photos by Mark Halliday

Folks with imaginary friends may relish The Belfry’s Mustard

Victoria show explores how growing up sometimes means leaving childhood securities behind

  • Oct 30, 2018
Heidi Damayo (Thai) and Andrew McNee (Mustard) star in Mustard by Kat Sandler, running Oct. 30 through Nov. 25 at The Belfry Theatre. Photos by Mark Halliday
The character of Anna is central to the beloved musical The King and I. A production based on the Broadway version of the story comes to Victoria in early January. Photo by Jeremy Daniel

Beloved musical The King and I coming to Victoria

Royal Theatre plays host to musical that was a smash hit on Broadway

The character of Anna is central to the beloved musical The King and I. A production based on the Broadway version of the story comes to Victoria in early January. Photo by Jeremy Daniel