Same Old Same Old
World Premiere - Streaming September 21 - 26
Victoria, BC...From September 21 - 26, 2021, the Belfry Theatre will be premiering its latest digital film, Same Old Same Old, written by Jan Wood and James Fagan Tait.
Directed by Kaitlin Williams, Same Old Same Old stars Jan Wood, James Fagan Tait and Michael Shamata (yes, Michael, the Belfry’s Artistic Director, is acting in this film).
Actor Jan Wood (Mrs. Fezziwig in our production of A Christmas Carol) and James Fagan Tait (director and co-writer of 21 Ways to Make the World Last Longer) teamed up to write this charming new play. The production was filmed on stage at the Belfry this past June and July.
Steadily approaching “till death do us part”—a man and a woman—through snippets and sketches and little scenes—reveal the moments that make up their lives. The mundane and the meaningful. The small but profound. The benign and hurtful. And the real—yet unspoken love. You will find it deeply funny because it is totally familiar—spot-on and touching.
Why I Chose This Play (Michael Shamata)
From the moment I heard that Jan and Jimmy were writing this play—from the moment I started reading an early draft—and from the moment we performed it before an enraptured audience during our 2020 SPARK Festival—I knew this was a play that belonged on our stage. This long-married couple is so familiar—it is impossible not to recognize them in ourselves—and laugh out loud at the reality of their relationship.
All safety protocols were followed during the creation of this film.
Online Engagement Activities
B4Play - Saturday, September 11 at 11 am (Free)
Hosted by CBC Radio’s Gregor Craigie and featuring interviews with:
- Debra Sheets, Gerontologist from the Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health from the University of Victoria
- Rick Bergh, Counsellor and Thanatologist
- Jan Wood, Actor and Playwright
- Michael Shamata, Actor
B4Play will be streamed to Facebook Live, YouTube and via Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86954436979?pwd=ZFJjaFNRYVhWM3JDUXJGUVBrR294QT09)
TALKBACK THURSDAY - Thursday, September 23 at 8 pm (Free)
Director Kaitlin Williams will join the actors for a Q & A Session - hop in and they’ll answer your questions about the making of the film.
AFTERPLAY - Wednesday, September 29 at 7:30 pm (Free)
Join Moderator Jo-Ann Miller (UVic Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health) for our audience member to audience member discussion of the film. Afterplay is supported by Caffe Fantastico.
VOCALEYE - Sunday, September 26
For our patrons with low or no vision, we offer VocalEye performances. Trained Audio Describers provide descriptions of the visual elements of the show, allowing people with low vision to enjoy the experience without missing any of the details. Tickets at 250-385-6815.
Creative Team
Jan Wood - Playwright / “Her”
James Fagan Tait - Playwright / “Him”
Michael Shamata - “Stage Manager”
Kaitlin Williams - Director
Jessica Oostergo - Set & Costume Designer
Jono Kim - Lighting Designer
Brian Linds - Sound Designer
Candelario Andrade - Videographer & Video Editor
Peter Carlone - Director of Photography
Treena Stubel - Movement Coach
Keith Houghton - Camera Operation & Tech Support
Greg Smith - Live Mixing
Caryn Fehr - Stage Manager
Becca Jorgensen - Assistant Stage Manager
Brenda Grantham - Make-up Artist
Ticket Information
The film will be streaming online from September 21 - 26 and tickets are $25 - available at 250-385-6815 or online at tickets.belfry.bc.ca.
Show Sponsors
Same Old Same Old is generously supported by CIBC Wood Gundy - Blue Heron Advisory Group, Parc Retirement Living and Used.ca.
Season Sponsors
The Belfry is generously supported by The Times Colonist and Helijet.
Public Funders
The Belfry is funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, Canadian Heritage, the Province of BC, BC Arts Council, CRD Arts Development and the City of Victoria.
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