Next month, Langham Court Theatre presents Les Belles-Soeurs a comedy written by Michel Tremblay and directed by Judy Treloar.
Montreal housewife Germaine has won a million Gold Stamps B次元官网网址� given out by grocery stores and exchanged for goods like barbecues and lawn chairs B次元官网网址� and invites all the women she knows to help her stick them into redemption booklets. As they stick, the women discuss the men in their lives, the church, and their small joys B次元官网网址� like bingo. What Germain doesnB次元官网网址檛 realize is that while the women are talking, they are also robbing her of her Gold Star stamps.
Written by Tremblay in 1965, Les Belles-Soeurs was his first professionally produced work and remains his most popular and frequently translated work. The play is generally held to be the most iconic and defining piece of French-Canadian theatre written; profoundly influencing not only Canadian theatre, but also language, identity and culture. It is a highly appropriate choice to complete 2017, the year of Canada 150.
This production marks the 20 year anniversary of the first time Langham presented Les Belles-Soeurs.Given the popularity of the play, it may also not be a surprise that two of the actresses B次元官网网址� local notables Pam Miller and Monica Prendergast B次元官网网址� have performed in it before.
Miller (playing Germaine Lauzon), well-known for roles with VOS, Langham and Kaleidescope, played Rose in LanghamB次元官网网址檚 original production 20 years ago.
B次元官网网址淲hen I saw Langham doing it again I was drawn,B次元官网网址� Miller says. B次元官网网址淚 have an affinity for all things Quebecois. I was born in Montreal, schooled in Howick, a little town in Quebec, and graduated from the Montreal General School of Nursing. As for the setting of this play B次元官网网址業 have often walked down this street beforeB次元官网网址�. This play is as relevant now as 20 years ago, to understand the struggles women who went before us had in a patriarchal world, and to continue a societal evolution.B次元官网网址�
Prendergast (playing Th茅r猫se Dubuc), a theatre educator, critic and performer, also played Rose but in the final year of her BFA degree 35 years ago.
B次元官网网址淚 remember the play very well and it has remained a favourite of mine,B次元官网网址� Prendergast says. B次元官网网址淚 thought this production would offer me the chance to revisit the play at a time in my life when I think I can better understand and relate to what these women who have been through, and are still going through, many struggles in their lives. My life has been a much easier one than the lives these women face. ThatB次元官网网址檚 my good fortune. But my empathy for them is deeper, and I B次元官网网址榞etB次元官网网址� their class circumstances much more than I could possibly have done at 21.B次元官网网址�
See Les Belles-Soeurs at Langham Court Theatre from Nov. 15 to Dec. 2
Join the Victoria Symphony for the 17/18 season with new Music Director Christian Kluxen.
Feel the tension build and your heart race, with Hollywood Thrillers, Oct. 28 at the Royal Theatre. Join conductor Sean OB次元官网网址橪oughlin and soloist Lorraine Min for music from Jaws, Psycho and more.
Maestro Joey and Classical Kids join forces Oct. 29 for MozartB次元官网网址檚 Magnificent Voyage, a journey back in time to MozartB次元官网网址檚 childhood.
National Arts Centre Orchestra visits Victoria Oct. 30 with Jan Lisiecki performing ShumannB次元官网网址檚 Piano Concerto and the orchestra performing Dvo谩kB次元官网网址檚 Symphony No. 9 B次元官网网址�From the New World.B次元官网网址�
All concerts are held in the Royal Theatre. Tickets and information available at .
The , through Nov. 18. The multi-award-winning musical by Veda Hille and Amiel Gladstone is based on the poem by Pushkin and the opera by Tchaikovsky. Onegin is a co-production with the Arts Club Theatre Company in Vancouver.
Onegin stars Josh Epstein, Lauren Jackson, Alessandro Juliani, Andrew McNee, Caitriona Murphy, Meg Roe, and Andrew Wheeler with Chris Tsujiuchi (pianist), Barry Mirochnick (percussionist/double bass), and Jennifer Moersh (cello).
Victoria Baroque continues its concert season Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m. with B次元官网网址淒eath and TranscendenceB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� music for this time of remembrance and the upcoming season of advent. The instruments in the period instrument ensemble include baroque oboe, bassoon, flute and strings.
Co-presented with the Church of St. John the Divine, Victoria Baroque will combine their talents with the 25 voices of the St. JohnB次元官网网址檚 Chamber Singers under the direction of David Stratkauskas. In keeping with the custom of BachB次元官网网址檚 time, five soloists will sing as part of the choir.
The program features works by J.S. Bach including two Cantatas, Aus der Tiefen BWV 131 and Nun komm der Heiden Heiland BWV 61, and one of BachB次元官网网址檚 most well know chorales, Jesus bleibet meine Freude (Jesu Joy ManB次元官网网址檚 Desiring). BachB次元官网网址檚 Motet, O Jesu Christ, meinB次元官网网址檚 Lebens Licht BWV 118, concludes the program.
The program also includes the Magnificat by Dieterich Buxtehude. His work had a significant influence on Bach and the Magnificat (The Song of Mary) is commonly associated with the season of advent.
The Victoria Baroque concert series continues Jan. 12 when highly acclaimed UK baroque violinist, Kati Debretzeni, returns to lead a virtuosic programme of Italian Baroque concerti.
All Victoria Baroque concerts are held at the Church of St. John the Divine. Tickets can be purchased at MunroB次元官网网址檚 Books, IvyB次元官网网址檚 Bookshop, Long & McQuade or at the door: $28 general; $25 senior; $5 students and children. For more information see .
The Victoria Gilbert and Sullivan Society presents The Pirates of Penzance, one of Gilbert & SullivanB次元官网网址檚 most beloved operettas. Directed by Roger Carr, with choreography by Ashley Evans and music direction by George Corwin, Pirates combines whimsy, light-hearted satire, and piratical characters with stirring music, including the iconic 惭补箩辞谤-骋别苍别谤补濒B次元官网网址檚 Song. This is the play that cemented the comic-pirate theme in popular culture, a theme that has lasted through more than a century and spawned countless movies and novels. Audiences can enjoy the original antics of pirates of dubious moral character and talent, and their law-abiding counterparts (of equally dubious moral character and talent), as they navigate Victorian contract law and social mores with varying degrees of aplomb and vigour B次元官网网址� but with glorious song and dance. The Pirates of Penzance runsNov. 3 to 5 at the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre and Nov. 10 to 12 at the Mary Winspear Centre. Tickets online at www.eventbrite.ca and at IvyB次元官网网址檚 books in Oak Bay.
The Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular returns to the McPherson Playhouse. Producer, director and creator, Katy Bowen-Roberts brings this yearB次元官网网址檚 show back to the McPherson Playhouse from Dec. 8 to 10.
She and her team are busy writing and planning their 11th annual production. This yearB次元官网网址檚 singing and dancing extravaganza includes musical tributes to The Beatles, Nina Simone, Rod Stewart and Lady Gaga. Also Broadway showstoppers from Mary Poppins, hit tunes from Top Gun, a country medley of Shania Twain and Garth Brooks tunes as well as many more classical hits and Christmas favorites including the old classic White Christmas.
B次元官网网址淭here is something in it for everyone,B次元官网网址� says Bowen-Roberts.
Three weeks before the show opens, a cast of 16 professional singers, dancers and musicians begin an intensive three-week rehearsal period in preparation for opening night. B次元官网网址淛ames Mark, music composer and arranger, and I have been working on this yearB次元官网网址檚 show since March,B次元官网网址� says Bowen-Roberts. B次元官网网址淲e are very excited for another spectacle of music, dance, lights and sequins. We are thrilled to be adding two singers to the vocal ensemble.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淭his gives us the opportunity to create more intricate harmonies within each musical set,B次元官网网址� James adds. B次元官网网址淭he musical arrangements can continue to develop with these added performers and IB次元官网网址檓 very excited to be arranging the show again.B次元官网网址�
Lindsay Sterk choreographs the fast moving show featuring colorful, dazzling costumes and takes you on an emotional journey through a wide variety of music and dance from rock & roll to Broadway, jazz and classical, interwoven with touching readings and stories.
Tickets are on sale at the McPherson Theatre box office, 250-386-6121 or . There are two matinee performances (Dec. 9 and 10) and two evening performances (Dec 8 and 9). For more information about the production, please visit .
Stunning American classical guitaristperforms at UVic next month. Jara has taken first prize at numerous international competitions, including the prestigious 2016 GFA International Concert Artist Competition. His playing stands out for sheer musicality and technical brilliance, paired with imaginatively structured and adventurous programming. His Victoria concert will include fantasies of John Dowland, an impressive arrangement J.S. BachB次元官网网址檚 own version of a Vivaldi violin concerto, Castelnuovo-TedescoB次元官网网址檚 first piece B次元官网网址� Variations across the Centuries, and technically challenging works by Dusan Bogdanovic, as well as intriguing discoveries such as young composer Jeremy CollinsB次元官网网址檚 Elegy.
A native of Minnesota, Jara was a student of Alan Johnston at the MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis until 2011 when he moved to Paris to study with Judicael Perroy for six years. During this time he completed his BachelorB次元官网网址檚 Degree at the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique de Paris where he also studied with the French guitarist Olivier Chassain, and the lutenist Eric Bellocq.
Victoria Guitar Society Concert is Friday, Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m. Visit http://victoriaguitarsociety.ca/?page_id=2 for details and tickets.
Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People presents the return of its unique adaptation of The Secret Garden, Nov. 4 and 5 at the McPherson Playhouse.
In 2014, Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young Audiences presented an original stage adaptation of Frances Hodgson BurnettB次元官网网址檚 classic childrenB次元官网网址檚 book, The Secret Garden. Written and directed by Artistic Director Roderick Glanville, The Secret Garden premiered as a pop-up theatre at the Uptown Shopping Centre. Originally scheduled for four performances, it sold out so quickly that a fifth date had to be added to the schedule. Now returned to the McPherson Theatre for our 44th season, Kaleidoscope is reuniting nearly the entire cast to stage a fully-realized production.
The Secret Garden takes place at the turn of the century, in an old manor home in England. After a cholera epidemic in India kills her parents and servants, Mary Lennox is sent to live with a reclusive uncle that she has never met, and his invalid son who never leaves the home. An angry and hurt 10 - year-old girl, MaryB次元官网网址檚 life is changed forever when she finds a key to her uncleB次元官网网址檚 locked and overgrown garden. As she brings the garden back to life, Mary also connects with her uncle, his staff, and his son, bringing light and love back into their lives.
B次元官网网址�The Garden, with its healing properties, helps reveal the secrets that have haunted the innocence of [Mary and ColinB次元官网网址檚] youth,B次元官网网址� says Glanville. B次元官网网址淔rom these seeds of hope and truth, a renewed action propels us all into the power of Love and new beginnings.B次元官网网址�
Tickets on sale now through the Royal McPherson box office.
Award-winning British comedy duo,, brings holiday cheer to Victoria with O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy.
Fans of Monty Python, Mr. Bean, and Dr. Seuss will delight in a rollicking Christmas romp through a world steeped in tea, as James & Jamesy present their uproarious holiday-themed comedy, O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy, as part of their Pacific Northwest Tour.
B次元官网网址淭he Christmas season is a magical time of year that brings people of all ages together; a time when we are encouraged to dream big, embrace imagination, and celebrate a childlike excitement for merriment,B次元官网网址� explained Alastair Knowles, who plays Jamesy, the quirky and playful half of LondonB次元官网网址檚 three-time Impresario Award-winning duo. B次元官网网址淭his yearB次元官网网址檚 production maintains the joyous holiday spirit sweeping spectators into an immersive adventure, leaving them bubbling with laughter and brimming with holiday cheer.B次元官网网址�
After writing a letter to Santa requesting tea, the duo must deal with the catastrophic repercussions that come from having their wish granted. Audience members of all ages join them in their action-packed quest to save the world, ever finding innovative and hilarious solutions to keep them, and their hopes, afloat in a sea of tea.
Aaron Malkin, who plays James, added that the duo will be incorporating more of the vibrant fun, meticulous choreography and playful Christmassy adventures that sold out houses last year.
B次元官网网址淲e have new developments to make the whole family squeal with joy: dazzling costumes, floor-to-ceiling projections, new songs and choreography, and magical effects, providing more adventure and wonder than ever before,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲hile awash in holiday sparkle, this show has delight enough for Santa-followers and abstainers, both.B次元官网网址�
James & Jamesy have toured across North America and the UK since 2012, performing their original works B次元官网网址� including High Tea, 2 for Tea, and In The Dark B次元官网网址� earning rave reviews and lifetime fans. Among other accolades, the physical comedians are winners of the Canadian Comedy Award for Best Live Ensemble (2016), and 2-time finalists for the Just for Laughs Best Comedy Award. They are 20-time B次元官网网址淏est of FestB次元官网网址� winners.
O Christmas Tea is Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Royal Theatre. Get tickets ($25 to $35) online through .
Nearly Neil Diamond, featuring Bobby Bruce and the Solitary Band, rocks and rolls into the Mary Winspear Centre on Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m.
For over 20 years Bobby has astounded appreciative audiences around the globe with his dynamic and passionate musical tribute to Neil Diamond.
On his first national tour of Australia, the press dubbed him B次元官网网址淣early NeilB次元官网网址� and the name stuck. His travels stretch from Kota Kinabalu on the island of Borneo to the Cayman Islands; aboard luxury liners at sea, on national tours stretching tens of thousands of miles, to audiences as large as 30,000 - Bobby continues to impress.
BruceB次元官网网址檚 tribute to Neil Diamond was born of a chance discovery by an B次元官网网址淓lvisB次元官网网址� impersonator at a karaoke contest in Toronto, Ontario in 1994,and within a year, news had travelled to Las Vegas about Bobby and he was picked up by Legends in Concert and began a ten-month tour of the US with the largest impersonation company in the world. Joining his first tour with Legends of Rock B次元官网网址� Bobby played 60 shows in 10 weeks throughout Australia. Directly following was his maiden visit to Malaysia for a royal performance for the King and Queen, successfully spawning more than a dozen returns over the next few years to play the countryB次元官网网址檚 most exclusive private clubs and elite events.
Using his international touring as a launch pad, Bruce formed Nearly Neil and the Solitary Band in Vancouver in 1997 which quickly became a staple in the Canadian market.
Nearly Neil and the Solitary Band took up what would become a decade-long residence at the brand-new River Rock Casino in Vancouver in 2004.
BruceB次元官网网址檚 tender retelling of DiamondB次元官网网址檚 classics this holiday season at the Mary Winspear is sure to be a magical evening of song and music that will move you to sing and clap along to all of his greatest hits. The Celtic Tenors make their second appearance at the Charlie White Theatre in less than a year, Dec. 5 and 6 with their festive Christmas concert.
Their holiday program includes a unique performance that will represent their pasts and signature harmonies.
The song selection will come from their holiday album The Celtic Tenors Christmas, and will include Oh Holy Night, The First Noel, and Wexford Carol.
The Celtic Tenors have established themselves as the most successful Classical Crossover artists to have ever come out of Ireland, and continue to re-invent the whole B次元官网网址淭enorB次元官网网址� idiom. The Celtic Tenors continue to stretch musical boundaries while paying homage to their traditional Irish roots. Signed on the spot to an international record deal in London in 2000, their first album went on to achieve double platinum status in their homeland, Number 1 in Ireland and Germany, Number 2 in the UK, and won them countless awards.
Their eclectic mix of classical, folk, Irish and pop will leave the audience applauding for more and demanding a return engagement.
Get tickets for Nearly Neil and Celtic Tenors at or 250-656-0275.
