THE VALLEY

Victoria, BC...From February 2 - 28 the Belfry Theatre will present The Valley by Victoria’s Joan MacLeod. Directed by former Belfry Artistic Director Roy Surette, The Valley stars Rebecca Auerbach, Matt Reznek, Luc Roderique (all making their Belfry debuts) and Colleen Wheeler (Proof and My Chernobyl at the Belfry).

“Relentlessly topical – and deeply empathetic” The Globe and Mail

The Valley was inspired by real events and explores the complicated and sometimes volatile relationship between law enforcement and people in the grip of mental illness.

Joan has an incredible ability to take the large social issues we all struggle with and distill them into compelling and moving stories that resonate on a deeply personal level.

“MacLeod has a wonderful ear and eye for the everyday details of Canadian life.” Calgary Herald

Her previous work, Amigo’s Blue Guitar (Belfry 1991), dealt with refugee resettlement and The Shape of a Girl (Belfry 2002) explored the aftermath of a high school bullying tragedy.

In The Valley, a dramatic police encounter at a Vancouver SkyTrain station binds four people together - Connor, an aspiring novelist who has just dropped out of university; his mother Sharon, who is dealing with his erratic behaviour; Dan, a new father and Vancouver police officer; and Janie, his wife, who is struggling with the demands of motherhood. As their stories intertwine and unfold, we learn just how hard it is to do the right thing.

“A wonderful piece of writing…not to be missed” Toronto Star

Joan MacLeod grew up in North Vancouver and studied creative writing at the University of Victoria and the University of British Columbia.

Translated into eight languages, her work has been extensively produced around the world. Multiple simultaneous productions of her hit play The Shape of a Girl toured internationally for four years, including a soldout run in New York. Her play Amigo’s Blue Guitar won the 1991 Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama. Her Governor General’s Award nominations include one in 1996 for The Hope Slide / Little Sister and one in 2009 for Another Home Invasion.

In 2011 Joan won the Siminovitch Prize for Theatre, which honours a professional director, playwright or designer who is an acknowledged leader in the theatre and whose work is transformative and influential. Joan is working on a new play entitled Gracie, which will premiere next year, and she continues to teach at the University of Victoria.

Creative Team

Joan MacLeod - Playwright
Roy Surette - Director
Pam Johnson - Set Designer
Erin Macklem - Costume Designer
Itai Erdal - Lighting Designer
Brian Linds - Sound Designer
Nicholas Harrison - Fight Director
Sarah Jane Pelzer - Assistant Director
Caryn Fehr - Stage Manager
Jessica McLeod - Assistant Stage Manager

Audience Events during The Valley

B4Play
Saturday, January 30 at 11 am
Join us in Studio A for a live talk show hosted by CBC Radio’s Gregor Craigie, featuring Roy Surette, Joan MacLeod, and Sgt. Greg Holmes of the Victoria Police Department. Free Event.

Tower Talks
Catch an in-depth conversation with an artist from each Mainstage production in our new video series, Tower Talks. We post these to our website and YouTube channel.

Free Childcare Performance
Sunday, February 14

Take advantage of free, professional childcare (ages 3–10) at the Springridge Early Childhood Centre at 1222 Gladstone Avenue.                    

We only have a limited number of spots available. To book your tickets and a spot for your kids, please call our Box Office at 250-385-6815.

Afterplay
Following every evening performance of The Valley (except Opening Night and Talkback Thursday), we’ll host Afterplay - this facilitated discussion series offers patrons the opportunity to share their thoughts with fellow audience members after the show.

Talkback Thursday
Thursday, February 11

On the second Thursday performance of each show, we bring the backstage experience onstage. After the curtain call, some of the actors return to the stage to answer your questions and offer insight into the play you have just experienced. These Q & A sessions last 15 – 20 minutes.

Booksmack!
Monday, February 15 at 7 pm

The librarians are back! Fast, furious and fun, Greater Victoria Public librarians return to the Belfry for Booksmack. They will let their hair down, take off their glasses and speed review their favourite books. Booksmack is presented in partnership with the Greater Victoria Public Library and is generously supported by Munro’s Books.

VocalEye Performance
Sunday, February 21

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. VocalEye performances at the Belfry are generously supported by Aroga Technologies.

Show Sponsors
The Valley is generously supported by Focus Magazine and Jennifer Roberts Florist.

40th Anniversary Season Sponsors
The Belfry is generously supported by The Times Colonist, Thrifty Foods, Cook’s Day Off and Helijet.

Public Funders
The Belfry is funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, the Province of BC, BC Arts Council, CRD Arts Development and the City of Victoria.

Ticket Information
Tickets for The Valley range from $23 to $48 (plus GST).Tickets are available at 250-385-6815 or online at tickets.belfry.bc.ca.

Rush Tickets
For our weekday evening performances we offer a limited number of last minute rush tickets at a discount. Rush tickets are:

> available at the Box Office 30 minutes before each evening performance (Tuesday to Friday),

> in person only,

> subject to availability, and

> 40% off our regular Zone 2 (Yellow Section) ticket prices.

Ticket Discounts
High School Students – 50%
University / College / Post Secondary Students – 25%
Seniors – 10%
Members of the Military – 25%
Groups (10 or more) – 10%

Performance Schedule (February 2 - 28)
Tuesdays - Thursdays at 7:30 pm
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm
Wednesday Matinees at 1 pm (February 10, 17, 24)
Saturday Matinees at 4 pm
Sunday Matinees at 2 pm

-30-

Media Contact
Mark Dusseault
Director of Marketing & Communications, Belfry Theatre
250-385-6835
[email protected]