The Belfry opens new season with Intimate Apparel by two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage.

Victoria, BC...From September 20 to October 16, ​ 2022, the Belfry Theatre will present Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage. Directed by Nigel Shawn Williams, Intimate Apparel stars Jenny Brizard (Esther), Lucinda Davis (Mrs. Dickson), Melissa Taylor (Mrs. Van Buren), Matthew Gorman (Mr. Marks), Amira Anderson (Mayme), and Matthew G. Brown (George).

In 1905 New York, Esther specializes in creating exquisite corsets for society ladies on Fifth Avenue and prostitutes in the Tenderloin. Tired of watching other women in Mrs. Dickson’s boarding house marry and move on, illiterate Esther, with the help of one of her wealthy clients, enters into a romantic correspondence with George, a labourer working on the Panama Canal.

Amira Anderson (Mayme) and Jenny Brizard (Esther) in Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage / Photos by David CooperMatthew G. Brown (George) and Jenny Brizard (Esther) in Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage / Photos by David CooperAmira Anderson (Mayme) and Jenny Brizard (Esther) in Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage / Photos by David Cooper

Lucinda Davis (Mrs. Dickson) and Jenny Brizard (Esther) in Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage / Photos by David CooperMatthew G. Brown (George) and Jenny Brizard (Esther) in Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage / Photos by David Cooper

Matthew Gorman (Mr. Marks) and Jenny Brizard (Esther) in Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage / Photos by David CooperJenny Brizard (Esther) and Matthew Gorman (Mr. Marks) in Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage / Photos by David Cooper

Jenny Brizard (Esther) in Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage / Photos by David CooperJenny Brizard (Esther) and Amira Anderson (Mayme) in Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage / Photos by David Cooper

Jenny Brizard (Esther) and Lucinda Davis (Mrs. Dickson) in Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage / Photos by David CooperJenny Brizard (Esther) and Matthew Gorman (Mr. Marks) in Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage / Photos by David CooperJenny Brizard (Esther) and Melissa Taylor (Mrs. Van Buren) in Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage / Photos by David Cooper

Amira Anderson (Mayme) and Jenny Brizard (Esther) in Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage / Photos by David CooperMatthew Gorman (Mr. Marks) and Jenny Brizard (Esther) in Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage / Photos by David CooperMatthew Gorman (Mr. Marks) and Jenny Brizard (Esther) in Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage / Photos by David Cooper

Jenny Brizard (Esther) in Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage / Photos by David CooperMelissa Taylor (Mrs. Van Buren) in Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage / Photos by David CooperJenny Brizard (Esther) in Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage / Photos by David Cooper

Jenny BrizardLucinda DavisMatthew GormanMatthew G. BrownAmira AndersonMelissa Taylor

Lynn Nottage is an American playwright whose work focuses on the experience of working-class people, particularly African American working-class people. She was the first (and remains the only) woman to have won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama two times.

Nottage is the recipient of a MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship and was included in Time magazine's 2019 list of the 100 Most Influential People.

Why I Chose This Play

This is such a beautiful and moving story! Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage looked at a photograph of an anonymous Black woman and decided to give her a history. This play is full of yearning, friendship, and romance. And I am so thrilled to welcome back director Nigel Shawn Williams, who created last season’s production of Serving Elizabeth.” Michael Shamata

Intimate Apparel will be performed for in-person audiences from September 20 - October 16, 2022, with simultaneous live stream broadcasts from October 4 - 9.

Creative Team

Lynn Nottage - Playwright

Nigel Shawn Williams - Director

Denyse Karn - Set & Costume Designer

T. Erin Gruber - Lighting Designer

Tobin Stokes - Composer & Sound Designer

Adrienne Smook - Dialect Coach

Treena Stubel - Intimacy Director

Jennifer Swan - Stage Manager

Becca Jorgensen - Assistant Stage Manager

Digital Program - Intimate Apparel - Belfry Digital

The Belfry Theatre presents Intimate Apparel By Lynn Nottage CAST (in order of appearance) Jenny Brizard EstherLucinda Davis Mrs. DicksonMatthew G. Brown GeorgeMelissa Taylor Mrs. Van BurenMatthew Gorman Mr. MarksAmira Anderson Mayme CREATIVE TEAM Lynn Nottage – PlaywrightNigel Shawn Williams – DirectorDenyse Karn – Set & Costume DesignerT. Erin Gruber – Lighting DesignerTobin Stokes – Composer & Sound DesignerTreena […]

Belfry Digital

Storylines – Intimate Apparel | The Belfry Theatre

A new web feature for our productions. We’ve gathered together digital information for our production of Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage. The Guardian Lynn Nottage: Intimate Apparel and

The Belfry Theatre

Audience Engagement Events

B4PLAY (In-person + Online)
​Saturday, September 17 at 11 am

Our live talk show is hosted by CBC Radio’s Gregor Craigie and will feature interviews with TO COME ON MONDAY

TALKBACK THURSDAY (On Stage + Online / Hybrid)
​Thursday, October 6 following the performance

Join the actors for a Q & A Session – hop in and they’ll answer your questions about creating Intimate Apparel.

Ticket Information

We are offering Pay What You Want tickets for both in-person attendance and live streams. Tickets are available at 250-385-6815 or online at tickets.belfry.bc.ca. ​ 

While masks and proof of vaccination are no longer mandatory, we strongly encourage all audience members to wear masks and take all publicly recommended health precautions.

Sponsors & Funders

Show Sponsors
​Intimate Apparel is generously supported by Chateau Victoria, Bodacious Lifestyles Boutique, 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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