The Belfry Theatre presents
Vigil
By Morris Panych
Starring
Nicola Lipman – Grace
Anton Lipovetsky – Kemp
Evan Frayne – Kemp Standby
CREATIVE TEAM
Glynis Leyshon – Director
Ken MacDonald – Set & Costume Designer
Luc Prairie – Lighting Designer
Tobin Stokes – Sound Designer
Dianne Goodman – Stage Manager
Becca Jorgensen – Assistant Stage Manager
Diana Budiachenko – Directing Intern+
Emily Trepanier – Assistant Lighting Designer*
Holly Winter – Sound Design Intern*
* Emily Trepanier and Holly Winter’s participation made possible through the Associated Designers of Canada Mentorship Program funded by the Government of Canada.
+ Diana Budiachenko’s participation made possible through the Belfry’s Emerging Artist Enhancement Program, funded by the RBC Emerging Artists Project.
Vigil is approximately one hour and forty-five minutes long including one fifteen-minute intermission.
This production is supported by a generous gift from
John & Suzanne Stewart
Vigil is generously sponsored by
The Belfry Theatre is a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres and engages professional Artists who are members of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the terms of the jointly negotiated Canadian Theatre Agreement.
The Vigil live-streamed performances (November 29 – December 4) are produced with the cooperation of the Union of B.C. Performers
SEASON SPONSORS
PUBLIC FUNDERS
…from the Artistic Director
Welcome to Morris Panych’s unique view of the world—! This is the Belfry’s 10th production of a Panych-penned play—making him the most produced playwright in Belfry history. Vigil is the only script of Morris’s to premiere at this theatre and the first to make a return visit—!
Vigil began life on this stage in 1995, directed by the playwright, on a version of the set that’s currently on stage now. It starred Alan Williams and Margaret Barton. Glynis Leyshon, director of this production, was the Belfry’s Artistic Director. And the sound designer was Ian Rye—now CEO of Pacific Opera Victoria! Since that time, Vigil has been translated into 24 languages and played all around the world—including a run in London’s West End under the title Auntie & Me. And now it’s back where it started—and I couldn’t be happier—!
Morris is one of this country’s most prolific and idiosyncratic playwrights—and one of the very best. I love his plays—and his characters. So many of them approach the world with disdain and skepticism. But despite their best efforts—they can’t help finding the good in other people.
Welcome back, Morris and Ken! Welcome back Glynis and Luc and Tobin, and Nicola Lipman and Anton Lipovetsky—our wonderful cast—! And welcome back to you, dear audience member. I hope you were able to attend one of the performances of our last production, Lynn Nottage’s Intimate Apparel. If you were one of our faithful patrons who were unable to see it due to the many cancelled performances, our sincerest apologies.
with respect—
Michael
…from the Executive Director
As we dive into our second production of the season, I am intrigued by the sense of history that we retain here at the Belfry – amongst our staff, our audiences, and our programming. We have brought together a wonderful team of artists who have all worked here in the past and who have shaped the broader Canadian culture by their brilliant work across the country. We are fortunate to be able to bring these world-class artists to Victoria.
And yet I appreciate the desire to constantly push forward and look to the future. I appreciate that the future is framed and shaped by our present, and as much, by our past. When we immerse ourselves in this production, and some of you may recall the Belfry premiere, it is worth examining how much has changed and how much has not since 1995 – in our personal context, in the broader socio-political environment, and therefore in our response to this wonderful play.
Isaac
Director’s Notes
One of the special joys afforded me during my long career has been the opportunity to revisit, reexamine, and reimagine some extraordinary theatre and opera pieces. I have been able to return to works by Shaw, Mozart, and Shakespeare and share with audiences the new thoughts and impulses these great works always provide. But no play or opera has played a more ‘ongoing’ part in my theatre life than Vigil by Morris Panych.
In 1995, when I was still Artistic Director of The Belfry Theatre, Morris approached me with his customary nonchalance … “I’ve been working on something that might work at the Belfry…wanna read it?“ Of course, I wanted to read it and when the copy finally arrived (yes, we did indeed mail physical scripts in those days), I started to glance at the first scene and didn’t stop reading till the final Blackout. Of course, the piece was wickedly funny and of course, it had all the plot invention that remains a highlight of Morris’ scripts. But this play, even in that first working draft, was obviously something special. Our arts community was still reeling with the tragic loss of so many of our best and brightest to the hideous AIDS epidemic. And Vigil spoke clearly and without sentimentality of our deep need for solace and connection…the ultimate triumph of the Heart.
Morris proposed that he direct the premier and that his longtime creative and life partner Ken MacDonald design the show. Again, a quick “great idea” and a grateful Artistic Director. Vigil was an enormous success critically and with our audience… and I am happy to say that the play has gone on to production literally all over the world.
One of those occurred at the Vancouver Playhouse in 2006 where as Artistic Director I found myself in the enviable position of directing a revival with Morris taking the part of Kemp. Of course, directing this author/playwright in HIS play was daunting but again, Vigil exerted its special theatrical magic, and the simple parable of Kemp and Grace charmed a whole new generation of audiences, both in Vancouver and later in Calgary.
And now here we are in 2022, newly emerging from another plague, and ready to share Vigil’s humanity with Belfry audiences once again. It’s an honour and a deep privilege …. Please enjoy!
Glynis Leyshon
About the Belfry
What to Expect – Live in-person attendance
Cast & Creative Team
Nicola Lipman – Grace
Previously For the Belfry: Unless, Shirley Valentine, The Cripple Of Inishmaan, Let Me Call You Sweetheart. Other Theatre (selected): No Great Mischief, Scorched, Humble Boy, SIMPL, Another Home Invasion (Tarragon Theatre), Les Misérables, The Matchmaker, Driving Miss Daisy (Arts Club), Other Desert Cities (Citadel), December Man (Canadian Stage), The Clean House (Royal Manitoba Theatre Company), Sisters, World Without Shadows (Ship’s Company Theatre), Death of a Salesman (Theatre Calgary), Grey Gardens (Acting Up Stage Company), All the Way Home (Electric Company Theatre). Film/TV: Various. Awards: 4 Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards, 2 Robert Merritt Awards, 1 Dora Mavor Moore Award, 1 David, Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. Graduate of the University of British Columbia and The National Theatre School of Canada.
Anton Lipovetsky – Kemp
Anton Lipovetsky is thrilled to return to the Belfry. Anton is a Vancouver-based actor and musical composer. This is Anton’s fifth show at the Belfry, having acted in Equivocation, A Christmas Carol, and I Think I’m Fallin’ – The Songs of Joni Mitchell and most recently having designed the sound for Griffin & Sabine. Other stages Anton has acted on include the National Arts Centre, Luminato Festival, Firehall Arts Centre, Caravan Farm Theatre, Arts Club Theatre and Bard on the Beach. He is a graduate of Studio 58 and the Stratford Festival Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Acting. www.antonlipovetsky.com
Evan Frayne – Kemp – Standby
Evan is a Victoria-based actor, director, and educator. Last seen at the Belfry in Being Here: The Refugee Project and A Christmas Carol, he has worked with many companies including Frank Theatre, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, Touchstone Theatre, Blackbird Theatre, Arts Club Theatre, and the Chemainus Theatre Festival. Film and television projects include roles on Arrow, I-Zombie, When We Rise, Supernatural, Stargate SG-1, and others. Nominated for multiple Jessies for his work, Evan is a recipient of the Sam Payne Award.
Morris Panych – Playwright
A native of Calgary, Alberta, Morris Panych is arguably Canada’s most celebrated playwright and director. His plays have garnered countless awards including two Governor General’s Literary Awards for Drama (for The Ends of the Earth and Girl in the Goldfish Bowl), fourteen Jessie Richardson Awards (Vancouver), and five Dora Mavor Moore Awards (Toronto). Productions of the much-lauded Vigil, Girl in the Goldfish Bowl, 7 Stories, and Lawrence and Holloman are being mounted throughout Canada, the US, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. His plays have been produced in over two dozen languages. Mr. Panych has directed over 90 productions across Canada and the U.S.
Glynis Leyshon – Director
Glynis Leyshon had the pleasure of being the Artistic Director of the Belfry for 11 seasons before leading the Vancouver Playhouse from 1997 thru 2008. She has also served as Head of the renowned Banff Centre Opera Program. Glynis has the unusual distinction of being in demand both as a theatre and opera director. For Victoria’s Pacific Opera (POV) she has helmed over 25 productions, including the Canadian premiere of Braunfels’ The Birds this February.
Ken MacDonald – Set & Costume Designer
Ken started out his design career at the Belfry in 1977 and is thrilled to be back! He became the resident designer here from 1977 to 1980. Since then, Ken has designed across North America from Stratford to San Francisco to Washington D.C. He did 16 seasons at the Shaw Festival. He is the recipient of a Gemini, 4 Dora Mavor Moore Awards, 17 Jessie Richardson Awards, a Betty Mitchell Award, and the San Diego Critics Award. Some favourite shows are The Overcoat, 7 Stories, Vigil, A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Shoplifters, and The Barber of Seville. He has designed ALL of his partner Morris Panych’s plays for… …ever.
Luc Prairie – Lighting Designer
Since 1974, Luc has been lighting up stages for theatres and operas across the country. He is teaching at the National Theatre School of Canada/ École nationale de théâtre (French and English section).
PRIZES – 2018 Prix Lumière, Duceppe – Le bizarre incident du chien pendant la nuit, 2017 Prix Lumière, Duceppe – Harold et Maude, 2015 Prix Gascon-Roux, TNM – Le tour du monde en 80 jours, 2013 – Best Lighting design MECA – Sherlock.
Tobin Stokes – Composer & Sound Designer
Since the late 80s, Tobin has had the privilege of being involved at the Belfry as a performer, arranger, musical director, composer, and sound designer for various productions. Musical projects here have featured the music of Leonard Cohen, Patsy Cline, Harry Chapin, Joni Mitchell, and his first opera, The Vinedressers. Besides creating for theatre, Tobin composes for orchestra, opera, and choir, and he scores for documentary films.
Dianne Goodman – Stage Manager
Vigil marks Dianne’s debut at the Belfry Theatre. She recently retired from Alberta Theatre Projects after almost 40 years with the company. In her career, Dianne has worked in almost every aspect of theatre. She is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Regina, the Betty Mitchell Award for Distinguished Achievement in Production, and the Harry and Martha Award for Significant and Sustained Contribution to Theatre in Calgary. Dianne resides in Calgary where she spends time with her family and friends, gardens, and volunteers in her community. Thanks to Glynis and Michael for this great opportunity! For my beloved Auntie Vera, a change maker and a frontier woman.
Becca Jorgensen – Assistant Stage Manager
Becca is an Indo-Canadian settler born and raised on lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ territory. As a Stage Manager, Becca has artistically supported teams across Canada from theatre to opera, to dance, and beyond. She is thrilled to be at the Belfry for her sixth season accompanied by her mixed terrier, Larry (his second season). Some Belfry favourites include Griffin and Sabine, Intimate Apparel, Kindred, The Ministry of Grace, Little Red Warrior & His Lawyer, Bears, and Every Brilliant Thing. Becca is an avid half marathoner (2:27:12) and two-time marathoner (5:23:36) and holds a BFA in Theatre Production and Management from UVic. For more personal information, write to her mother.
Diana Budiachenko – Directing Intern
Diana is an emerging theatre director from Ukraine who has chosen Canada as her home due to the current conflict with Russia. Her training includes a Masters in Performing Arts with a specialization in directing, from the Kyiv University of Culture. These studies focused on metaphorical direction – a style that she pursued under her mentor, Director Valeriy Patsunov of the Golden Gate Theatre in Kyiv. Her aesthetic also combines dramaturgy, poetry, musicality, and vivid scenery as key aspects of her metaphorical style.
Emily Trepanier – Assistant Lighting Designer
Emily Trepanier is a recent graduate of the University of Victoria’s Phoenix Theatre, where she focused in theatrical lighting design and technical theatre. For the Phoenix: The Waste Land, Lighting Designer, Love and Information, Assistant Lighting Designer, and The Sound of a Voice, Lighting & Set Designer (MFA project). Other credits include: Hello?, Director, Rain Carnation, Lighting Designer; Power in Silence, Lighting Designer (SATCo). Emily is thrilled to be making her Belfry debut and hopes you enjoy the show.
Holly Winter – Sound Design Intern
Holly Winter is a composer, music educator, and sound designer originally from the east coast of Canada. Her compositions are known for their use of graphics and theatrics and have been performed internationally. She graduated from UBC with a Masters in Composition, from Memorial University with a BMus, and from King’s College with a BA in Philosophy. Holly is excited to be learning more about sound design from Tobin Stokes. She is very happy to be working with the Belfry on this amazing play.
Bravo!
The Belfry Theatre gratefully acknowledges the financial support of The Canada Council for the Arts, the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia through the British Columbia Arts Council and the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch, the Capital Regional District Arts Development Office, and the City of Victoria.
Sponsors
Belfry Legacy Circle
The support of visionary philanthropy ensures that the Belfry will continue to flourish as Greater Victoria’s premier contemporary theatre company.
Donors
Bravo! The following individuals have invested generously in support of the Belfry Theatre.
Our thanks to the 161 Believers ($75-$149) and 226 Friends (up to $74)
† through the Victoria Foundation
* new donor
** donor moved up a level
As of October 19, 2022