The Belfry returns to live performances with Serving Elizabeth, inspired by Netflix’s “The Crown”.

Victoria, BC...From November 23 to December 19, 2021, the Belfry Theatre will be producing Serving Elizabeth by Marcia Johnson.  Directed by Nigel Shawn Williams, Serving Elizabeth stars Lucinda Davis, Sia Foryoh, Ryan Hollyman, Amanda Lisman, and Nathan D. Simmons. Serving Elizabeth will also live stream (with live in-person audiences) from December 7 - 12.

“Fresh, funny, thought-provoking, and full of unexpected surprises”

BROADWAY WORLD

Actor and playwright Marcia Johnson was inspired to write this play after watching an early episode of “The Crown” on Netflix. The play premiered at Western Canada Theatre in Kamloops in February 2020.

“The series was extremely well-made...I have seen every single episode. But, a particular episode, the one set in Kenya, still stands out as flawed to me. The Kenyan perspective was completely ignored.” Marcia Johnson

Politics and pop culture collide with unexpected twists as this fascinating play moves between 1952 Kenya—when an anti-monarchist cook challenges Princess Elizabeth in the moments before she becomes queen—and 2015 London—when a Kenyan-Canadian film student clashes with convention and custom while working on a TV series about the Royals.

The tension between people and politics—imperialism, representation, and the irresistible draw of the monarchy—infuses and ignites this exciting new play.

“Richly detailed with urgent ideas…Serving Elizabeth is a gem.” —NOW MAGAZINE, TORONTO

Why I Chose This Play (Michael Shamata)
I was searching for a play that could address this important and thrilling social pivot point—this moment of racial awareness in which we find ourselves. Serving Elizabeth is that play. In an immediate response to the popular television series “The Crown,” playwright Marcia Johnson argues for inclusion and creates a play as contemporary as this morning’s newspaper.

Creative Team
Marcia Johnson - Playwright
Nigel Shawn Williams - Director
Camellia Koo - Set Designer
Carole Klemm - Associate Set Designer
Itai Erdal - Lighting Designer
Joelysa Pankanea - Composer & Sound Designer
Vanessa Magic - Costume Designer
Adrienne Smook - Dialect Coach
Rosemary Jeffery - Assistant Director
Justin Lee - Assistant Videographer
Jennifer Swan - Stage Manager
Becca Jorgensen - Assistant Stage Manager

Ticket Information  

To make the Belfry even more affordable and accessible, this year 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.  

 We will be performing at 75% capacity for this production and adhering to all of the Covid protocols. We anticipate returning to 100% capacity in the new year.

Show Sponsors

Serving Elizabeth is generously supported by BMO, Chateau Victoria 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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