The English language premiere of From Alaska opens the Belfry’s new season.

“a play about coming to terms with identity, be it social, political, sexual, linguistic, generational, or intellectual.” Montreal Gazette

Victoria, BC...From September 17 to October 13, 2024, the Belfry Theatre will present the English-language premiere of Sébastien Harrisson’s play, From Alaska, translated by Leanna Brodie. Directed by Belfry Artistic Director Michael Shamata, From Alaska stars Brenda Robins and Kosta Lemermeyer.

This award-winning francophone play casts us into the world of magic realism. In Québécois playwright Sébastien Harrisson’s unique world, time dances with the fast-forwards of grief, the slowness of healing, and the unpredictable rhythms of shared wisdom. When a retired librarian is held hostage by a tough-talking teenager, they gradually discover that the one thing they have in common is the thing they have both lost. 

“Pits the limitations of daily life against the vastness of the human spirit.” Canadian Literature Magazine

WHY I CHOSE THIS PLAY 

Francophone playwrights have a unique sensibility— interpreting the world with surprising wit and unique imagination. This play exemplifies those qualities. It is such a stunning confusion of aching need and fierce self-protection, wrapped in a magic realism that makes a mockery of time—to the point where we happily abandon ourselves to the heart of what Harrisson has conjured for us. — Michael Shamata

This production of From Alaska is supported in part by a generous gift from Diane Scott.

Cast

Brenda Robins - Miss

Kosta Lemermeyer - Today

 

Creative Team

Sébastien Harrisson - Playwright

Leanna Brodie - Translator

Michael Shamata - Director

Christina Poddubiuk - Set & Costume Designer

Leigh Ann Vardy - Lighting Design

Tobin Stokes - Sound / Composition

Keith Houghton - Projection Design

Bonni Baynton - Stage Manager

Grace Carmichael - Assistant Stage Manager

Live & Virtual Events 

Our round-up of events happening at the theatre over the next four weeks. 

B4PLAY (IN-PERSON + ONLINE)

BMO Studio, 1291 Gladstone Avenue 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 AT 11 AM 

Our live talk show, hosted this time by CBC Radio’s Jason D’Souza will feature interviews with playwright Sébastien Harrisson, actress Brenda Robins, and community experts. B4Play has been designed to provide insight into each Mainstage production. Each event is held the Saturday before Opening, is free to attend, live streamed on Facebook, and is available as a podcast on our website. 

B4Play is ASL Interpreted. To reserve your free tickets, please call our Box Office at 250-385-6815. 

TALKBACK THURSDAY (In Person)

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3 (FOLLOWING THE PERFORMANCE)

On the third Thursday performance during the run of each show, most (usually all) of the 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 - From Alaska

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6 AT 2 PM (IN PERSON EVENT) 

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. More information at the Box Office

 

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 tickets.belfry.bc.ca

Show Sponsors

From Alaska is generously supported by Broadmead Hearing, Peninsula Co-op, and Gabriel Ross.

Season Sponsors

The Belfry is generously supported by The Times Colonist, Helijet, and Splashes Bath & Kitchen.

 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

Marketing & Communications Director, Belfry Theatre

 

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About Belfry Theatre

The Belfry is a professional not-for-profit theatre company in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. 

We produce contemporary theatre from the international repertoire with an emphasis on new Canadian plays. 

With love, from scratch, and with some of the country's best theatre artists, we build, rehearse and create our plays in our own home, a renovated 19th century church in Fernwood - the city's most interesting neighbourhood. 

Contact

1291 Gladstone Avenue Victoria, BC Canada V8T 1G5

250-385-6835 ext. 230

pr@belfry.bc.ca

www.belfry.bc.ca