Next Up:
WORLDPLAY 2019 at the SPARK Festival!
March 9th @ 2 pm: M.A.I.R.O.U.L.A. by Lena Kitsopoulou (Greece)
...and Juliet by Akis Dimou (Greece)
Directed by Britt Small
March 16th @ 2 pm: Saying Yes by Griselda Gambaro (Argentina)
Bones for Otto by Lia Bugnar (Romania)
Directed by Jason Vikse
March 23rd @ 2 pm: 54 Silhouettes by Africa Ukoh (Nigeria)
Directed by Taiwo Afolabi
Where: The BELFRY ARTS CENTRE, Studio A, 1291 Gladstone Ave. Victoria, BC.
Entrance by donation
For more information please visit >>> WORLDPLAY or SPARK Festival
Our 6th Annual Day of the Dead Fiesta!
Featuring: Compassion Gorilla & Bučan Bučan!
Friday, November 2nd
Doors open @ 8 pm
VEC 1415 Broad Street
$20 - Tickets @ the door
Costumes encouraged!
Music! Dancing! Tacos! Cerveza! Catrina face-painting!
19+ only
GRUFF on tour at Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon!
GRUFF
A Bolshevik puppet musical about what happens when the grass really is greener on the other side.
Created by Mercedes Bátiz-Benét, Judd Palmer, and Brooke Maxwell
Starring Jana Morrison, Pat Rundell, and Trevor Hinton
September 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th 29th and 30th
For tickets and for more information please visit: Gruff at Persephone
FADO ~ THE SADDEST MUSIC IN THE WORLD
@ the 32nd Victoria Fringe Festival!
By Elaine Ávila
Featuring Sara Marreiros
Directed by Mercedes Bátiz-Benét
Directed by Mercedes Bátiz-Benét
Music Direction by Sara Marreiros
Costume & Set Design by Patricia Reilly
Sound Design by Aidan Dunsmuir
Lighting Design and Stage Management by Emma Dickerson
Starring:
Sara Marreiros
Dan Wise
Finn Letourneau
Cyllene Richmond
Pedro M. Siqueira
Chris Perrins
Judd Palmer
Fringe Site D: White Eagle Hall (90 Dock Street)
Show Schedule:
Thursday, August 23 - 8 pm
Friday, August 24 - 8 pm
Sunday, August 26 - 8 pm
Tuesday, August 28 - 8 pm
Wednesday, August 29 - 8 pm
Thursday, August 30 - 8 pm
Friday, August 31 - 8 pm
Saturday, September 1 - 8 pm
Tickets: "Fado" at the Victoria Fringe or Ticket Rocket
Fringe Site D: White Eagle Hall
For more information please visit: Intrepid Theatre
WORLDPLAY 2018
April 15th @ 8pm: Ruby Moon by Matt Cameron (Australia)
Directed by Andrew Barrett
April 22nd @ 8pm: Blink by Phil Porter (Great Britain)
Directed by Pat Rundell
April 29th @ 8 pm: Scorch by Stacey Gregg (Northern Ireland)
Directed by Karin Saari
May 6th @ 8 pm: Metamorphoses by Mary Zimmerman (United States)
Directed by Matthew McLaren
Where: The BELFRY ARTS CENTRE, Studio A, 1291 Gladstone Ave. Victoria, BC.
Entrance by donation
For more information please visit >>> WORLDPLAY
GRUFF at the 31st Victoria Fringe Festival!
A Bolshevik puppet musical for familes about what happens when
the grass really is greener on the other side.
Created by Mercedes Bátiz-Benét, Judd Palmer, and Brooke Maxwell
Starring Jana Morrison, Pat Rundell, and Trevor Hinton
August 24th to September 3rd
Outdoors in Banfield Park (Vic West)
Fringe Site E
Show Schedule:
Thursday, August 24 - 7 pm
Friday, August 25, 7 pm
Saturday, August 26 - 5 pm
Sunday, August 27 - 1 pm
Sunday, August 27 - 4 pm
Tuesday, August 29 - 7 pm
Wednesday, August 30 - 7 pm
Thursday, August 31 - 7 pm
Friday, September 1 - 7 pm
Saturday, September 2 - 1 pm
Saturday, September 2 - 4 pm
Sunday, September 3 - 1 pm
Sunday, September 3 - 4 pm
Tickets: Gruff at the Victoria Fringe or Ticket Rocket
For more information please visit: Intrepid Theatre
WORLDPLAY 2017
April 23rd @ 8pm: Tom at the Farm by Michel Marc Bouchard (Quebec)
Directed by Sean Guist
Translated by Linda Gaboriau
April 30th @ 8pm: Halfway House by Phillip Orr (Ireland)
Directed by Julian Cervello
May 7th @ 8 pm: The Prophet by Hassan Abdulrazzak (Iraq)
Directed by Mercedes Bátiz-Benét
May 14th @ 8 pm: Love and Information by Caryl Churchill (England)
Directed by Jo Leslie
Where: The BELFRY ARTS CENTRE, Studio A, 1291 Gladstone Ave. Victoria, BC.
Entrance by donation
For more information please visit >>> WORLDPLAY
The Umbrella on tour with Quest Theatre!
On March 10th & 11th it flies to the Casteliers Festival in
Montréal, and on March 18th it goes back to Calgary to the
Quest Theatre presents The Umbrella by Puente Theatre & the Old Trout Puppet Workshop, in collaboration with Bučan Bučan
Photo by Trudy Lee Photography
Based on the book written and illustrated by Judd Palmer (which was shortlisted for Canada's Governor-General's Award for Children's Literature), The Umbrella is a love story about a man and his umbrella; but one storm-struck day a certain sinister crow threatens their happiness together. The set is a theatrical-storm contraption, complete with thunder sheet, wind machine, and rainspout; the puppet stage is a huge bucket. Through a storm both metaphorical and actual, our heroes emerge scarred -- but love prevails.
"Let thrum your heart to thunder". The Crow
We are beyond thrilled that our amazing collaborators across the Rockies, Quest Theatre, are touring The Umbrella to these two festivals across the country. Than you Quest Theatre!
CREDITS
Judd Palmer – Co- Creator/Co- Director
Mercedes Bátiz-Benét – Co-Creator/Co- Director
Nikki Loach – Co-Director
Cimmeron Meyer – Lighting Designer
Jennica Greinke – Stage Manager
Mercedes Bátiz-Benét & Judd Palmer – Scenography
Julia Knight – Composer
Bučan Bučan – Musicians
CAST
Anne Lalancette
Troy O’Donnell
For tickets & more information about The Umbrella at Casteliers, please visit: Le Parapluie
For tickets & more information about The Umbrella at the Festival of Animated Objects, please visit: The Umbrella
Our 5th Annual Day of the Dead Fiesta!
Featuring: Hank Pine, Compassion Gorilla & Bučan Bučan!
Friday, November 4th
Doors open @ 8 pm
90 Dock Street
$15 - Tickets @ the door
Costumes encouraged!
Music! Dancing! Tacos! Cerveza!
Gruff clip-clops its way to 2 festivals this summer!
On June 11th & 12th, at Kaleidoscope's Family Theatre Festival:
Gruff - A rollicking musical for two goats and a troll.
The grass really is greener on the other side. But a hideous troll has taken up residence under the bridge, and the promised land is forever unattainable – if you’re a goat born on the wrong side of the craggy chasm. But is the troll really what he seems? Why does he live under the bridge? Could there be a way across to the land of plenty, after all?
Written by Mercedes Bátiz-Benét & Judd Pallmer
Music by Judd Palmer & Brooke Maxwell
Starring:
Jana Morrison
Pat Rundell
Trevor Hinton
Directed by Mercedes Bátiz-Benét
Music Direction by Brooke Maxwell
Staged Management by Emma Dickerson
At Kaleidoscope Theatre's Family Theatre Festival 2016
-Centennial Square in the Big Igloo
Saturday, June 11th at 1 PM
Sunday, June 12th at 11 AM
Tickets are available in advance through the McPherson Box Office: Tel 1.888.717.6121 or in Centennial Square prior to each performance.
Adults: $12 ~ Students/Seniors: $10 ~ Children: $10
For more information, please visit: Kaleidoscope Theatre or Family Theatre Festival
And on August 20th, Gruff clip-clops its way to
the 8th Annual Gabriola Theatre Festival!
GRUFF
Saturday, Aug 20 | 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
HOLLAND STAGE
575 North Road
Gabriola Island, BC
Who’s that clip-clopping across my bridge? Gruff is a modern retelling of the familiar folktale Three Billy Goats Gruff. The grass really is greener on the other side. But a hideous troll has taken up residence under the bridge, and the promised land is forever unattainable—if you’re a goat born on the wrong side of the craggy chasm. But is the troll really what he seems? Why does he live under the bridge? Could there be a way across to the land of plenty after all? Gruff is a rollicking musical for all ages.
Written by Mercedes Bátiz-Benét & Judd Pallmer
Music by Judd Palmer & Brooke Maxwell
Starring:
Jana Morrison
Pat Rundell
Trevor Hinton
Directed by Mercedes Bátiz-Benét
Music Direction by Brooke Maxwell
Staged Management by Emma Dickerson
For more information, please visit: Gabriola Theatre Festival and GRUFF
El Jinete rides to Vancouver to be part of PushOFF!
We're super excited to be doing a showcase presentation of El Jinete on February 5th as part of PushOFF this year! Huge thanks to Theatre Replacement for inviting us!
Where: The C Lab @ The Cultch
For more information please visit:
WORLDPLAY 2016
February 13th @ 8pm: Body Indian by Hanay Geiogamah
(Kiowa & Delaware Native American)
Directed by Naomi Simpson
February 14th @ 8pm: Between Life and Death by Gao Xingjian (China)
Translated by Gilbert C. F. Fong
Directed by Julian Cervello
February 19th @ 8 pm: Terrorism by The Presnyakov Brothers (Russia)
Translated by Sasha Dugdale
Directed by Wendy Merk
February 20th @ 8 pm: 603 by Imad Farajin (Palestine)
Translated by Hassan Abdulrazzak
Directed by Mercedes Bátiz-Benét
Where: The BELFRY ARTS CENTRE, Studio A, 1291 Gladstone Ave. Victoria, BC.
Entrance by donation
For more information please visit >>> WORLDPLAY
Our 4th Annual Day of the Dead Fiesta!
Featuring: Hank Pine, Compassion Gorilla & Bučan Bučan!
Friday, October 30th
Doors open @ 8 pm
90 Dock Street
$15 - Tickets @ the door
Costumes encouraged!
The Umbrella on tour in Alberta!
Photo by Sara Hembree
Based on the book written and illustrated by Judd Palmer (which was shortlisted for Canada's Governor-General's Award for Children's Literature), The Umbrella is a love story about a man and his umbrella; but one storm-struck day a certain sinister crow threatens their happiness together. The set is a theatrical-storm contraption, complete with thunder sheet, wind machine, and rainspout; the puppet stage is a huge bucket. Through a storm both metaphorical and actual, our heroes emerge scarred -- but love prevails.
"Let thrum your heart to thunder". The Crow
We've been working hard in collaboration with Quest Theatre and Bučan Bučan on a new version of the show and we're thrilled to announce that The Umbrella will be touring to Alberta schools as part of Quest Theatre's 2015-16 Season!
For more information or to book The Umbrella in Alberta, please visit:
Quest Theatre's School Touring 2015-16 Season.
Lieutenant Nun won three awards at the Victoria International Fringe Festival:
Favourite Drama, Favourite Ensemble & Audience Favourite -- Pick of the Fringe!
Thanks for voting for us, Victoria!
For a complete list of winners, please visit: 2015 Fringe Winners
SKAM Remixed Presents
a Puente Theatre & SNAFU Theatre Co-production:
LIEUTENANT NUN
by Elaine Avila
@ The Victoria International Fringe Festival!
August 27th to September 6th
An outdoor roaming musical extravaganza, set in the old ruins at
Macaulay Point Park in Esquimalt.
THE TRUE STRANGE STORY OF A 17th CENTURY NUN WHO BECAME AN INFAMOUS CONQUISTADOR
“There is no name for what I am. You would have to make a new word.”
It’s the 17th Century; the armies of Spain are slaughtering their way across the New World, and one renowned conquistador, Antonio de Erauso, is famed for his ferocity – until, on trial for murdering his own brother, facing execution, Antonio pleads for clemency – by revealing that he’s actually an escaped nun. Imprisoned and enchained, haunted by the ghosts of the slain, the Lieutenant Nun confesses the story that has been kept secret for so long….
LIEUTENANT NUN
By Elaine Avila
Directed by Mercedes Bátiz-Benét & Kathleen Greenfield
Vocal Arrangements by John Han
Musical Coaching by Sarah Jane Pelzer
Costume Desig by Mercedes Bátiz-Benét
Mask Design by Ingrid Hansen, Mercedes Bátiz-Benét & Kathleen Greenfield
Puppet Design by Ingrid Hansen
Mask & Puppet Construction by Ingrid Hansen & Andrew Barrett
Assistant Stage Management by Delaney Tesch
STARRING:
Catalina/Antonio de Erauso.........Christina Patterson
Mother Isabel.........................Naomi Simpson
Friar Carvajal/Chorus................Julian Cervello
Captain Guerrero/Chorus............Judd Palmer
María/Chorus.........................Alexandra Lainfiesta
Miguel/Chorus........................John Han
Inca/Chorus...........................Keshia Palm
Madre/Chorus.........................Kelly Hudson
Chorus.................................Jesse Deutscher
105 minutes ~ All Ages ~ Outdoor Roaming Musical ~ All Tickets $11
WHEN: August 27th to September 6th at 6PM; no show August 31st
WHERE: Site A ~ Macaulay Point Park (Corner of Lampson & Munro in Esquimalt)
Free Parking ~ 6 minutes drive from Fringe Headquarters
Public transit from downtown: take the #15X Esquimalt bus
Not wheelchair accessible
TICKETS: Online at www.victoriafringe.com or www.ticketrocket.co; in person at Ticket Rocket: #2-1609 Blanshard Street; by phone at 250-590-6291 ~ Remember your Fringe button. You can't see the show without it.
“New words must be freshly made, on the spot, for a creature you have never seen, a fruit you have never tasted. It’s the New World!”
The Umbrella
@ The Family Theatre Festival!
May 2nd & 3rd
Photo by Sara Hembree
Based on the book written and illustrated by Judd Palmer (which was shortlisted for Canada's Governor-General's Award for Children's Literature), The Umbrella is a love story about a man and his umbrella; but one storm-struck day a certain sinister crow threatens their happiness together. The set is a theatrical-storm contraption, complete with thunder sheet, wind machine, and rainspout; the puppet stage is a huge bucket. Through a storm both metaphorical and actual, our heroes emerge scarred -- but love prevails.
"Let thrum your heart to thunder". The Crow
The show is a small-scale piece for families, created and performed by Mercedes Bátiz-Benét and Judd Palmer, with music composed by Julia Knight. The Umbrella is a co-production between Puente Theatre and The Old Trout Puppet Workshop, with music performed by Bučan Bučan, Victoria's beloved Balkan brass marching band.
For tickets please visit: The Umbrella @ Kaleidoscope's Family Theatre Festival
For more information about the festival, please visit: Kaleidoscope Theatre
WORLDPLAY 2015
February 8th @ 8pm: Love Letters to Stalin by Juan Mayorga
Translated by María E. Padilla
Directed by Mercedes Bátiz-Benét
February 15th @ 8pm: Oxygen by Ivan Vyrypaev
Translated by Sasha Dugdale
Directed by Emma Zabloski
February 22nd @ 8 pm: Yerma by Federico García Lorca
Translated by Ursula Rani Sarma
Directed by Kathleen Greenfield
March 1st @ 8 pm: Lieutenant Nun by Elaine Avila
Directed by Kathleen Greenfield & Mercedes Bátiz-Benét
Where: The BELFRY ARTS CENTRE, Studio A, 1291 Gladstone Ave. Victoria, BC.
Entrance by donation
For more information please visit >>> WORLDPLAY
Our 3rd Annual Day of the Dead Fiesta!
Saturday, November 1st
Doors open @ 9 pm
Open Space
510 Fort St. #2
$15 - Tickets @ the door
My Rabbi
Fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe:
Puente Theatre presents the Canadian Premiere of
Sum Theatre's My Rabbi
From September 16th to 28th at the Belfry Theatre's Studio A
A Jew and a Muslim walk into a bar...
My Rabbi is a comedic drama about two Canadian best friends who go on spiritual journeys that change thier lives forever --
a challenging story about the line between faith and friendship.
Created by Kayvon Kelly and Joel Bernbaum
Directed by Julie McIsaac
Dramaturgy by Michael Shamata
When: September 16th to 28th @ 8 pm; no show September 18th,
Matinées Saturdays and Sundays @ 2 pm
Where: The BELFRY ARTS CENTRE, Studio A, 1291 Gladstone Ave. Victoria, BC.
Tickets: My Rabbi Tickets
El Jinete rides to the SummerWorks Festival!
August 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, & 16th:
Featuring Mariachi Los Dorados, El Jinete is a tale of love, vengeance and the supernatural, told through classics of the Mariachi repertoire. Inspired by the Golden Era of Mexican cinema, the show uses multi-layered projections to make it a black and white film come to life. The Rider is a cursed mariachi with a bullet wound in his heart; like a Mexican Orpheus, he crosses the border into El Norte to avenge the kidnapping of his bride. On the other side of the Rio Grande, he finds a strange and modern world, from which he may never return…
El Jinete, a Mariachi Opera
SummerWorks Performance Festival
Mainstage Series
Venue: Theatre Passe Muraille (Mainspace)
Friday, August 8th: 7 pm
Saturday, August 9th: 10 pm
Sunday, August 10th: 12 pm
Tuesday, August 12th: 7 pm
Wednesday, August 13th: 4:30 pm
Thursday, August 14th: 9:30 pm
Saturday, August 16th: 5 pm
For more information and to buy tickets please visit: El Jinete @ SummerWorks 2014
The Umbrella
@ Les Nuits de Fourvière Festival in Lyon, France!
June 18th to 21st
We're going on tour to Lyon, France with our show The Umbrella in June!
Based on the book written and illustrated by Judd Palmer (which was shortlisted for Canada's Governor-General's Award for Children's Literature), The Umbrella is a love story about a man and his umbrella; but one storm-struck day a certain sinister crow threatens their happiness together. The set is a theatrical-storm contraption, complete with thunder sheet, wind machine, and rainspout; the puppet stage is a huge bucket. Through a storm both metaphorical and actual, our heroes emerge scarred -- but love prevails.
"Let thrum your heart to thunder". The Crow
The show is a small-scale piece for families, created and performed by Mercedes Bátiz-Benét and Judd Palmer, with music composed by Julia Wakal. The Umbrella is a co-production between Puente Theatre and The Old Trout Puppet Workshop, with music by Bučan Bučan, Victoria's beloved Balkan brass marching band.
For more information about the festival, please visit: Les Nuits de Fourvière 2014
For more information about our show, please visit: "The Umbrella" @ Les Nuits de Fourvière
Lágrimas Crueles / Cruel Tears
- A Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre & Puente Co-production:
Beautifully reworked by Puente's artistic director, Mercedes Bátiz-Benét, Lágrimas Crueles will keep you in it’s grip!
April 29th- May 11th @ The Roxy Theatre
Held over until May 18th!
April 29th - May 18th @ The Roxy Theatre
WORLDPLAY 2014
February 9th @ 8pm: Marat/Sade by Peter Weiss
Translated by Geoffrey Skelton with lyric adaptation by Adrian Mitchell
Directed by Julian Cervello
February 16th @ 8pm: The Container by Clare Bayley
Directed by Justin Carter
February 23rd @ 8 pm: Così by Louis Nowra
Directed by Graham McDonald
March 2nd @ 8 pm: Way to Heaven by Juan Mayorga
Translated by David Johnston
Directed by Mercedes Bátiz-Benét
Where: The BELFRY ARTS CENTRE, Studio A, 1291 Gladstone Ave. Victoria, BC.
Entrance by donation
For more information please visit >>> WORLDPLAY
The Umbrella
Presented by Puente Theatre, The Old Trout Puppet Workshop, and Bučan Bučan, this is the night to chase away your winter woes. Bringing together Victoria's Music, Theatre, and Literary Scenes in an exciting evening of food, drinks, dancing, and yes... puppets!
Sit back, sheltered from the rain, and enjoy the premiere performance of Mercedes Bátiz-Benét & Judd Palmer's puppet show, The Umbrella, followed by a night of dancing and debauchery with Victoria's #1 Balkan Party Band, Bučan Bučan!
February 28th @ The White Eagle Hall - 90 Dock St.
8 pm
19+
Advance Tickets $20
Available at Phillips Brewery and Larsen School of Music
Our 2nd Annual Day of the Dead Fiesta!
November 2nd
Doors open @ 8 pm
1501 Douglas St.
Culture Days!
Join us and the Belfry Theatre on September 28th for a full day of free and fun activities for all ages.
Puppets in the Square
Saturday, September 28 (10 am - 2 pm) @ the Fernwood Square
Come to Fernwood Square and interact with "Amor de Cosmos" & "China Gate" from our H2L (History to Life) characters. Designed by Catherine Hahn and created in partnership with Merlin's Sun Theatre, these larger than life puppets will astound.
For more information please visit: H2L @ Culture Days
LED Shadow Puppetry Workshop with Tim Gosley
Saturday, September 28 (12 pm - 1 pm) @ the Befry's Studio A
Join master puppeteer Tim Gosley in a one-hour workshop that will expand your mind and help you create a wonderful world with light and shadow.
In this gonzo-styled workshop you will discover how with cheap props & lights you can create a magical world of shadows. Unlike traditional 2D shadow puppetry, LED (and halogen light) Shadows create a 3D filmic effect. The light source can be moved the same as a camera creating close-ups, mid and distance shots. Special effects are easily created with lenses and mirrored mylar. Puppets and props can be hand crafted, found (often toys), or adapted from found objects. It is a fun and effective technique.
For more information please visit: Shadow Puppetry Workshop @ Culture Days
All activities will be held at the Belfry Theatre, located on 1291 Gladstone Avenue.
The world premiere of EL JINETE, A Mariachi Opera:
Victoria: April 26, 27, 28th @ The Metro Studio
Vancouver: May 10, 11, 12th @ Frederic Wood Theatre UBC
Victoria Tickets: ticketrocket.org / 250.5906291
Vancouver Tickets: theatre.ubc.ca / 604.8222678
THE MOST DELICIOUS THING IN THE ENTIRE WORLD,
a miniplay during the SPARK Festival 2013!
What: THE MOST DELICIOUS THING IN THE ENTIRE WORLD, a miniplay
When: March 20-23 / 7:20 + 7:40 pm
Where: SPARK Festival 2013 -The Belfry Theatre's festival of new plays and new ideas
Space: The Belfry Tower
For more information about the SPARK Festival please visit: Spark Festival
GRUFF is going on tour to the International Festival of Animated Objects!
For more information about the International Festival of Animated Objects, and on how to purchase tickets for the March 17th performance of GRUFF, please visit: CAOS
GRUFF was commissioned by Kaleidoscope Theatre for their Family Theatre Festival, which featured four new works by Suddenly Dance Theatre, Urban Arts, Kaleidoscope Theatre, and Puente Theatre. Puente is grateful for the generous support Kaleidoscope provided for the creation and development of this show.
