The Belfry opens its 51st Season with Frances Koncan’s wildly funny and razor-sharp remix of Indigenous and Canadian history.

Victoria, BC...From September 8 to October 4, 2026, the Belfry will present Women of the Fur Trade by Frances Koncan. Directed by Kathleen MacLean, Women of the Fur Trade stars Danica Charlie (Eugenia), Amanda Lisman (Cecilia), Jonathan Mason (Thomas Scott), Aren Okemaysim (Louis Riel), and Kelsey Kanatan Wavey (Marie-Angelique).

“Not only is the play a fun and clever look at…history, but by weaving in modern slang and references, Koncan (who is of Anishinaabe and Slovene descent) highlights how many Indigenous issues from our past are still relevant today.” ​ CBC News

Set in “eighteen hundred and something”, three very different women with very contemporary attitudes sit in a fort on the banks of the Reddish River, sharing their views on life, love, and that hot nerd Louis Riel (“He is SO dreamy…the total package!”)

In this lively historical satire of survival and cultural inheritance, playwright Frances Koncan shifts perspectives from the male gaze onto women’s power—in the past and present—through the lens of the rapidly changing world of the Canadian fur trade.

“uproarious…irreverent…political rom-com… a gift.” Intermission Magazine

Women of the Fur Trade - Production Shots

Photos by Peter Pokorny

Flickr

Why We Chose This Play

We are captivated by the way Koncan’s irreverent and witty comedy looks at Indigenous history through a modern feminist lens. Poking fun at the men who have stolen the limelight for far too many years, Marie-Angelique, Cecilia, and Eugenia track the progress of—and interact with—Louis Riel and Thomas Scott. With the surreal sense of a Beckett play, Frances Koncan’s imagination weaves modern socio-politics in a way that enthralls us! We can’t wait to share this play with you! - Michael Shamata and Nigel Shawn Williams

Inside the mind of playwright Frances Koncan - The Belfry Theatre

By Sarah Petrescu Frances Koncan (she/they) debuted Women of the Fur Trade at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival in 2018, and the play has since been staged at the Stratford Festival and National Arts Centre, published into a book, taught in playwriting classes and continues to be presented across the country. The story centres on three […]

The Belfry Theatre

“A timely, provocative piece of theatre written from a perspective and voice we need to hear.” Winnipeg Free Press

Jonathan Mason - Thomas ScottAmanda Lisman - CeciliaAren Okemaysim - Louis RielDanica Charlie - Eugenia

Frances Koncan - PlaywrightKathleen MacLean - Director

Creative Team

Frances Koncan - Playwright

Kathleen MacLean - Director

Denyse Karn - Set Designer

Jeff Chief - Costume Designer

Leigh Ann Vardy - Lighting Designer

Wayne Kelso - Composer & Sound Designer

Katerina Sokyrko - Stage Manager

Kelsey Cain - Assistant Stage Manager

This production of Women of the Fur Trade is supported in part by a generous gift from Diane Scott.

Live Events during Women of the Fur Trade

B4Play – online only

Saturday, September 5 at 11 am - belfry.bc.ca/b4play-live

While we would usually host this event in person, the BMO Studio is undergoing renovations, so we will be livestreaming the event instead. We will also be recording B4Play, hosted by CBC Radio’s Gregor Craigie, and posting the podcast to our website and social media channels. Livestream B4Play here – belfry.bc.ca/b4play-live

Talkback Thursday

Thursday, September 24

Following the third Thursday performance of each show, actors return to the stage to answer your questions and provide insight into the play you have just experienced. These Q&A sessions last approximately 20 minutes.

VocalEye

Sunday, September 27 at 2 pm

For patrons with low or no vision, we offer one VocalEye performance during most Mainstage productions. Trained Audio Describers provide descriptions of the visual elements of the show, allowing people with low vision to enjoy the theatrical experience without missing any of the details. Touch tours are available following the performance. More information is available at the Box Office 250-385-6815.

Ticket Information

We are offering Pay-What-You-Want tickets for all performances this season. Tickets are available at 250-385-6815 or online at tix.belfry.bc.ca. ​

Production Sponsors

Women of the Fur Trade is generously sponsored by Chateau Victoria and The Quercus Foundation.

Access Partner

BMO

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, the Province of BC, the BC Arts Council, CRD Arts Development, and the City of Victoria.

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