- The Belfry Theatre's 2023 - 2024 Season.
Honest. Intimate. Enthralling.
Four extraordinary plays for you.
September 12 – October 8, 2023
Yaga
Kat Sandler
“...part thriller, part revenge play and lots of comedy.”
“A dark and devious comedy…her plot is a cunning labyrinth...”
A gruesome murder in a small town leads a female sheriff, a cocky young detective, and a university professor with a taste for younger men, into a labyrinth of secret lives, ancient magic, and multiple suspects.
The exceptional Kat Sandler uses the Slavic folktale of Baba Yaga, the witch who lives in a magical hut that sits on chicken legs, as a launching pad for an exploration of female power in its many forms – wisdom, rage, motherhood, and sex.
Yaga races along and draws you into a world where nothing is quite what it seems.
I love Kat Sandler’s writing—she is a playwright of fierce intelligence and piercing wit. In her hands, the cannibalistic ogre Yaga is incredibly good company—wry, self-aware, and very funny. A seductress can also be seen as an ogre—devouring her victims. Sandler has woven a stunning play using both these interpretations. Yaga is a comedy, a mystery, a celebration of feminine power, and a dazzling theatrical treat. – Michael Shamata
October 31 – November 26, 2023
I Think I’m Fallin’: The Songs of Joni Mitchell
Conceived by Michael Shamata & Tobin Stokes
“One of the best performances we’ve seen anywhere—including Broadway. Fabulous interpretations of Joni’s songs and stellar performances!”
Created especially for the Belfry in 2016, this stirring musical is a tribute to one of this country’s most exceptional musical treasures. Using only her words and music—including such iconic songs as Both Sides Now, Big Yellow Taxi, Chelsea Morning, River, and A Case of You—we weave a romantic story of heartache and love. It’s a celebration of the enduring legacy of Joni Mitchell, the poet and the composer, and a testament to her influence on generations of musicians, and a tonic for our times.
The happiest time I have ever spent in a rehearsal hall was creating this show with Tobin and our wonderful actor/singers in 2016. I have been dying to bring it back—and this season feels like the right time—!
Using nothing but Joni’s songs, a story emerges—of love, loss and longing—transforming the event from a concert into a moving and exuberant piece of theatre. Her music is unforgettable, and her lyrics are unparalleled. – Michael Shamata
February 6 – March 3, 2024
As Above
Christine Quintana
WORLD PREMIERE
“Quintana’s writing is natural, bitingly funny, and heartfelt.”
Commissioned by the Belfry and written by a Jessie and Dora Award-winning BC playwright, As Above appeals to the hope in all of us.
Set in Victoria, As Above centres on Jo, eight years sober, and attempting to rebuild the life she destroyed. Once a prominent botanical researcher, she now lectures at a horticultural centre, while embarking on a new relationship with Rick, who may be too good to be true.
A mysterious phone call sends her on an urgent quest to find Ada, her estranged daughter, as her research bleeds into her complicated personal life in rich, unexpected, and life-changing ways.
Christine Quintana is one of this country’s most talented and celebrated artists. I commissioned her to write a piece for the Belfry after seeing—and loving—her play Never the Last. At the centre of As Above is the relationship between Jo and Rick—a relationship unlike any I have seen onstage before. This is a play full of compassion for humanity—with all of our virtues, our flaws—and our desire for connection. – Michael Shamata
April 23 – May 19, 2024
The Lehman Trilogy
Stefano Massini
Adapted by Ben Power
2022 TONY AWARD FOR BEST PLAY
"A dazzling piece of storytelling"
"A masterwork...A must see."
"You dare not miss it"
On a cold September morning in 1844, Heyam, a young man from Bavaria stands on a New York dockside dreaming of a new life in the new world. He is soon joined by Mendel and Mayer, and the Lehman brothers’ journey begins.
The growth of global capitalism exposes the fault lines of the American dream. The Lehman brothers rise from shopkeepers to bankers, from obscurity to prominence, navigating the Civil War, the Great Depression, and generations of ethical dilemmas.
It is an epic journey, an epic play, and a theatrical tour de force.
The Lehman Trilogy is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
There is nothing more exciting than reading a play and knowing instantly that it has to be seen on our stage! That was my experience with The Lehman Trilogy. I couldn’t put the script down. In literary terms—it’s a “page-turner.” In theatrical terms—it is a stunning high-wire act. Three exceptional actors play three brothers and three generations of the Lehman dynasty. It’s a wild ride: from a tiny store in Alabama to a Wall Street juggernaut—from small town enterprise to full-on moral corruption. – Michael Shamata
Season Tickets
This season, we are offering three price options. Whichever price you choose, your subscription includes a ticket to each of our four Mainstage productions.
($120 per person)
Our standard subscription price.
($160 per person)
For those patrons who wish to help offset the cost of offering pay-what-you-can tickets this season; the Belfry invites you to choose this Pay It Forward option and open the door for others.
For those patrons who are not in a financial position to afford the regular subscription price, the Belfry is pleased to be able to offer this Pay-What-You-Can option.
While we suggest $75.00 (per person), we will accept any amount affordable for your circumstances.
A $4.00 order fee & 5% GST will be added to each subscription, regardless of the price you choose to pay. Order fees go toward the Belfry Futures Fund, which supports capital improvements and ongoing stability.
* Prices are subject to change without notice. GST / Order fees are not included in prices shown above. All ticket sales are non-refundable.
Audience Engagement
We offer a wide range of in-person events and digital activities that can deepen your experience with each play in our season.
We will send you a print version (or a link to digital version) of our magazine, Upstage. It is filled with information about the world of the play, providing insight into each production.
Our live talk show, hosted by CBC Radio’s Gregor Craigie. You can watch the event live (or later) on Facebook, or Vimeo. B4Play features artists from the upcoming show, along with experts from the community.
Join the actors following the 3rd Thursday performance in the run of each play, for a casual and informative Q & A session. You’re bound to find out some interesting secrets about the creation of the production.
You can listen and download the full audio interviews from each B4Play at belfry.bc.ca/podcasts.
FAQ
Single tickets for all of our productions will go on sale August 8.
The Belfry is a contemporary theatre for an adult audience. Our plays may contain strong language and mature content. If you have any concerns before or when you book your tickets, please speak to our Box Office – they can guide you through each play beforehand.
Tickets may be exchanged for another performance (within the current season / subject to availability) provided they are being held at the Box Office or returned to us (in person, by mail, or by email) prior to the performance for which they were issued.
Contact
250-385-6815
1291 Gladstone Avenue, Victoria, BC
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