The year has barely started, and the Metro Vancouver theatre community already has us filling our calendars in weeks ahead with inspiring performances. Vibrant original pieces, exciting takes on old classics, and even a little bit of experimental—whatever you’re up for, these upcoming shows will give you something you haven’t seen before. Start with a butt-kicking trip down memory lane with a rough-and-tumble granny, follow a swashbuckling trio on a quest for justice and romance, or consider the rousing recruitment campaign of a lone Viking warrior. Each experience starts with buying a ticket… Let’s see what’s on!
Dimanche – Vancouver
Feb 6 – 8
This Push Festival performance from Belgium tells the story of a world teetering on edge, as a family gathers for a seemingly ordinary Sunday. Between dreamlike fiction and stark reality, Dimanche paints a sharp yet tender portrait of humanity caught off guard by the uncontrollable forces of nature. It depicts the ingenuity and stubbornness of humans as they neglect the chaos of ecological catastrophe and go to absurd extremes to maintain their habits and keep up a sense of normalcy.
The Three Muskateers – Vancouver
Jan 16 – Feb 16
All for one and one for all! In 17th-century Paris, a daring young d’Artagnan wishes to join the famed trio of musketeers—Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. Harnessing the skills of a swordsman and the heart of a warrior, he sets off with them to thwart a plot of the most dangerous man in France, the evil Cardinal Richelieu. Double-crossings, extravagant sword fights, and sweeping romance remind us of a time when love and honour ruled the world.
Photo by Nanc Price for The Citadel Theatre’s production of The Three Musketeers, a co-production with Arts Club
Yaga – Langley
Feb 13 – Mar 1
A detective finds himself in a small, isolated town asking, what does the disappearance of the young heir to a yogurt empire have to do with some random lore about an old witch? Matched by an apprehensive local sheriff, a university professor with a taste for younger men, and a whole cast of curious characters, the Slavic myth of Baba Yaga twists into a new labyrinth of secret lives, ancient magic, and multiple suspects.
*This show contains mature content, including adult language, references to sex and violence, and may not be suitable for all ages.
Grandma. Gangsta. Guerilla. – Burnaby
Feb 6 – Feb 8
This ain’t a sob story about war crimes, dementia, or getting old. It’s a sprint down the memory lane of a butt-kickin’, bar-spittin’, tough grandma who escapes the care home to be with her family. When Filipino grandma Lola Basyang goes missing, it’s up to her grandchildren Nika and Jun-jun to bring her back to safety. Using their lola’s unfinished memoir, they find clues to her whereabouts, her full-of-beans origin story and the historical turmoils of their motherland. Reminiscent of their immigration stories, they reflect on what it means to maintain family ties in a Western society.
A Nice Indian Boy – New Westminster
Feb 13 – Mar 3
Naveen Gavaskar is a nice Indian boy who wants a traditional Hindu marriage to… another nice Indian boy. While his parents are busy trying to wrap their heads around this twist on tradition, his older sister returns home and drops a bombshell of her own. This comedy about love and marriage tackles the joys and chaos of family, whether gay or straight, arranged or not. Get ready for a heartwarming and hilarious ride through the ups and downs of modern relationships and timeless family expectations.
Shield Maiden – Surrey
Feb 15
Imagine a tenth century Viking TED Talk on what it means to be a warrior woman. In this fierce and funny one woman show, Garrison Commander Ingrid Larsdottir endeavours to engage new recruits from the audience. This empowering show will leave you entertained, informed, and inspired to reclaim your own inner warrior!
*Audience advisory: Lots of strong language and mature content. Suggested aged 16+
*This show will have American Sign Language interpretation. If you are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, please call the box office at 604.501.5566 so we can seat you in the area with the best visibility of the ASL Interpreter.
National Theatre Live: Prima Facie – Whistler
Feb 6
Okay, so it’s not LIVE, but this international premier of a world-class performance is well worth experiencing in a theatre and with an audience. Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) won a Tony Award for her performance in this gripping one-woman play by Suzie Miller, and her stage presence is worth every bit of acclaim.
Tessa is a young, brilliant barrister. She has worked her way up from working-class origins to be at the top of her game, defending, cross-examining, and winning. An unexpected event forces her to confront the lines where the patriarchal power of the law, burden of proof, and morals diverge.Prima Facie takes us to the heart of where emotion and experience collide with the rules of the game. Justin Martin directs this solo tour de force, captured live from the intimate Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End.
The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe – North Vancouver
Feb 28 – Mar 9
Shoes, shoes, shoes! So many shoes! Where did they all come from? Where are they going to? Step into a magical world that blends fairy tales, music, and yes, shoes into a playful and interactive adventure! Join the Old Woman as she travels around in her oversized old boot, discovering hidden stories within each pair of shoes she encounters.This new theatrical experience invites children to become part of the story, exploring their imagination and finding the surprising ways that even the smallest soles can leave a big impression.
*For ages 3-7 and their favourite grown-ups!
