The Belfry’s 2026 Spark Festival opens March 10 with Big Stuff and Benevolence.
“Baram and Snieckus are as much fun as you can have without taking your clothes off.” —Toronto Star
“…should not be missed. Wong has given us a much-needed life-affirming theatre play as an antidote against a troubled world” —Ludwig Van Toronto
Victoria, BC…from March 10 - 23, the Belfry will present its annual Spark Festival. The two big shows this year are Big Stuff (written and created by Matt Baram and Naomi Snieckus, and co-created and directed by Kat Sandler) and Benevolence (written, directed, and performed by Kevin Matthew Wong). The Festival features a host of free and ticketed events, including play readings, a storytelling evening, B101 Live! and the ever-popular miniplays.
MARCH 10 - 21
Big Stuff
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “Don’t miss it! If there’s any justice in this world, it will tour the country, continent — and world.” —Glenn Sumi (Critic’s Pick)
Married comedy duo Matt Baram and Naomi Snieckus invite you to join them as they explore some Big Stuff. Using their unique style of humour, shaped by their time at The Second City and in comedy clubs around the world, Baram and Snieckus debate the sentimental power of the objects our loved ones leave behind. She wants to keep everything. He wants to throw it all away! Is she a pack rat? Is he a monster? This hilarious and highly addictive couple want you to decide.
Big Stuff is a Baram and Snieckus production.
MARCH 10 - 14
Benevolence
“Hilarious play that leaves plenty to ponder.” —Next Magazine
A play with a significant connection to Victoria.
Like many Canadians, Kevin has always wondered about his roots. Kevin is Hakka (客家) …he thinks. Hakka (“guest people”) are a branch of Han Chinese who have continuously migrated.
Out of the blue, he gets a phone call asking him to write a play about Hakka identity. His fact-finding mission leads him to Victoria and the Tam Kung Temple, Canada’s oldest Chinese Temple.
From creator and performer Kevin Matthew Wong comes a charming and intimate story that transforms into a layered Chinese Canadian tale spanning continents, migrations, and generations.
Kevin has just finished a run of Benevolence at Lincoln Centre in New York.
A Tarragon Theatre Production, in association with Why Not Theatre and Broadleaf Creative
Other Ticketed Events at Spark
SUNDAY, MARCH 22 AT 7:30 PM
BELFRY 101 LIVE!
Facilitated & Directed by Dave Morris, Nicole Malcolm & Tony Adams
During the March Break (March 16 - 22), participants from our Belfry 101 program for secondary school students spend the week building a “collective creation.” Starting from scratch and drawing on their responses to the themes and content of this season’s plays, Belfry 101 is always unique, inspiring—and a little bit wild—! Presented in the BMO Studio Theatre (this is a ticketed event open to the public).
MONDAY, MARCH 23 AT 7 PM
THE FLAME
Hosted by Deborah Williams
Award-winning actor and one of the creators of Mom’s the Word, Deborah Williams, brings her hit storytelling event, The Flame, back to the Belfry.
The Flame features real people telling true stories, plus a musical guest. Since its inception in 2009, The Flame has flourished and grown into a wildly popular event, packing venues in Vancouver and Victoria.
Free Events at Spark
MARCH 10 – 21
miniplays
miniplays are free ten-minute plays performed in odd spots around the building. Check in at the miniplay table in the lobby, and the performers will take you to their venue. Extremely limited capacity.
FREE PLAY READINGS
MONDAY, MARCH 16 AT 7:30 PM
PLAYWRIGHTS’ CABARET
Facilitated by Melissa Taylor
A return of this popular free event—! Join us in the lobby where excerpts of scripts by UVic Playwrights will be read by UVic Actors. Come meet the next generation of theatre artists as they flex their muscles—!
FRIDAY, MARCH 20 at 8 PM
Play Reading
Cascadia Nation by Sarah Danielle Pitman
SATURDAY, MARCH 21 at 8 PM
Play Readings
Great American Ski Patrol by Sydney Hunt
Offensive Shadows by Paul Dunn
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.
2026 Spark Festival Sponsors
Spark is generously sponsored by the Government of Canada, Richardson Wealth (IC Blue Heron Wealth Advisory Group), CD Specialty Cleaning and Restoration, and Urban Grocer
Season Sponsors
The Belfry is generously supported by BMO (Access Partner), 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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Mark Dusseault