Basket: $0.00
Basket: $0.00
Spice It Up Victoria Presents Bollywood Cabaret: Lights, Camera, Drama! The essence of the Hindi Film Industry, also known as Bollywood, comes alive in this vibrant variety show. A celebration of cinema, music, and storytelling, this performance takes you through different stories, movies, and melodies—all seen through the eyes of aspiring artists. Bad Shah, our charismatic narrator, will guide you through multiple genres of Bollywood, weaving emotion, drama, and rhythm into every scene. Alongside a lineup of incredible local artists, this show promises a night of sparkle, nostalgia, and pure entertainment. The question is: Are you ready? Because the spotlight is waiting—and the magic of Bollywood is about to unfold. Credits Stay tuned for the full artist lineup! Accessibility Sensory warnings: Audience interaction/participation Content warnings: There are no current content warnings for this show About the Artists Someone is here to bring the heat, and he’s got all the spice of Mumbai wrapped in his bold, queer, and fabulous persona. As the first Bollywood Drag King of Canada, Bad Shah infuses his performances with a unique blend of high-energy Bollywood choreography. Whether it's through his show-stopping performances or his bold expression of queerness, He captivates and electrifies audiences every time he hits the stage. You might have seen him headlining Victoria Pride, or seen him dancing alongside BBNO$ at the JUNO Awards and being a member of all drag king boy band Call Us Men;) , showcasing his versatility. He’s also an active collaborator with Sher Vancouver, working to support the queer South Asian community and create spaces for inclusion and empowerment. As the producer of Spice It Up Victoria, he continues to amplify the voices of marginalized communities while delivering unforgettable performances. Bad Shah is here to make some noise, get ready to sweat because he’s bringing the spice with him! Stay tuned for the full artist lineup!
Intrepid Studio
Intrepid Studio
What are the new models, new frameworks, new approaches? Who are the new models, new archetypes, new leaders? Join us for a meditative performance of Vivek Shraya’s 11th solo album NEW MODELS (Twin Fang Records) followed by a revisitation of her previous musical works. Part concert, part ritual, this work invites audiences to reflect on the shifting cultural landscape and uncertainties. "What follows isn’t a literal scream or cry, but Shraya’s own sonic synthesis of meditative coos colliding into a bombastic end, leaving listeners with a sense of catharsis that can’t really be put into words." —CBC Music Accessibility Sensory warnings: There are no sensory warnings for this show Content warnings: Adult language About the Artist Vivek Shraya is an artist whose body of work crosses the boundaries of music, literature, visual art, theatre, TV, film, and fashion. A three-time Canadian Screen Award winner, Vivek is the creator and writer of the CBC Gem Original Series "How to Fail as a Popstar," which had its international premiere at Cannes. She was nominated for the Polaris Music Prize and has collaborated with musical icons Jann Arden, Peaches, and Jully Black. Her best-selling book "I’m Afraid of Men" was heralded by Vanity Fair as “cultural rocket fuel.” Vivek has been a brand ambassador for MAC Cosmetics and Pantene, a guest host on The Social and CBC’s q, and she is a director on the board of the Tegan and Sara Foundation.
Metro Studio
Metro Studio
Shirley Gnome is a singer who has spent sixteen years performing songs about adult topics. Even though she’s been doing this for a long time, she’s never had a big hit. That changes when a video of her at a music festival, looking a bit "out of it", gets posted on TikTok by a teenager. The video quickly goes viral. A popular TikTok creator named DJ BBKn0$e turns the video into a song that becomes a huge hit with kids - the next “Baby Shark.” Suddenly, Shirley finds herself famous with a new, younger audience. She decides to go along with it to make more money. She’s invited to perform at an elite private school, hoping this new direction will finally pay off. But things quickly fall apart. The kids are confused by the songs, and her lyrics raise disturbing questions that no child (or parent) is ready for. Through this experience, Shirley starts to reflect on her fears about the world, the future, and the kind of planet we’re leaving behind. What starts as a cash grab gig turns into something deeper — a challenge to modern despair. Let’s be clear: this is not a real kids' show. It’s satire. Please do not bring your children. Seriously. Credits Written by – Shirley Gnome and Becky Johnson Performed by Shirley Gnome Featuring the voices of: Shirley Gnome featuring the voices of Bunnie Gnome Duckie Gnome Boden Fear Leigh Cameron Ursa Folinsbee Vanilla Frog Olive Merkin Knowles Maximilian Thunder Chevalier Shortt Ryan Beil Becky Johnson Story by Becky Johnson and Shirley Gnome Music and Lyrics by Shirley Gnome Accessibility Content warnings: Adult language, sexual content, drugs or alcohol use, depictions of violence: references to corporal punihcment, death, war. Sensory warnings: Loud noises, audience interaction/participation About the Artist Shirley Gnome - Playwright/Composer Shirley Gnome is a Juno-nominated comedian, songwriter and vocalist based out of Vancouver BC/Montreal QC. She is celebrated for performing folk, rock, pop, and country with satirical subject matter and stunning vocals. Her witty, hilarious lyrics tackle topics both silly and provocative, captivating audiences with playful and biting content. Gnome has earned rave reviews and accolades in five countries. She’s performed at Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Philadelphia Folk Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, JFL Vancouver, Winnipeg Comedy Festival and more. Gnome has been featured on CBC Radio’s The Debaters, CBC Gem, and Sirius XM, and is signed with Comedy Here Often? Records. In 2021, her album Decoxification earned a Juno Award nomination. In 2024, she made her television debut at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival’s TV galas. Her latest album, Live Bare & Natural, was released on March 27th, 2025, along with her accompanying comedy special. Becky Johnson - Playwright Becky Johnson is a veteran of the Canadian comedy scene currently based in Toronto. She is an alumna of the Toronto Second City Mainstage, has created and toured her own scripted and improvised shows internationally and has appeared in iconic Canadian plays including the European premiere of Daniel MacIvor’s A Beautiful View and the world premiere of Sheila Heti’s All Our Happy Days Are Stupid. Becky has been nominated for seven Canadian Comedy Awards and has won two. On screen, Becky can be found in Baroness Von Sketch Show (Frantic Films/IFC), What We Do In The Shadows (FX), Workin’ Moms (CBC), Gary and His Demons (Blue Ant/Look Mom), Odd Squad (PBS/Sinking Ship), The Beaverton (Comedy Network/Pier 21 Films), Space Riders: Division Earth (CTV Extend/Hulu), The Amazing Gayl Pile (CBC/LaRue Entertainment) and more. Becky has won two Canadian Screen Awards for writing on Baroness Von Sketch Show and has also contributed to Because News (CBC Radio One) and This Hour Has 22 Minutes (CBC). She is currently developing several scripted projects of her own.
Metro Studio
Metro Studio
Slow Dive is an auto-fictography and queer coming-of-age tale spanning the course of 20 years that asks “What do our bodies know?" The story is told through a series of vignettes combining experimental documentary and projected animations. A relationship to swimming and themes of water move throughout, drawing on symbolism and parallels to portray embodiment, grief, self-love, and queer identity. Alongside personal narratives and reflections, Slow Dive collages research-based historical accounts such as the colonial roots of the breaststroke, a rumoured secret romance that inspired the writing of The Little Mermaid, and iconic cultural references like the hanky code and the first 'lesbian’ kiss on Star Trek Credits Directed by – Emma Tibaldo Dramaturgy – Fatma Sarah Elkashef Production Design – potatoCakes_digital Original Compositions – Estraven Lupino-Smith Additional consultation/collaboration/production feedback – Catherine Hahn, Jessica Hickman, Britt Small, Mind of a Snail, Liz Charters Created in Residencies with OUTstages and Playwrights’ Workshop Montreal Accessibility Content warnings: Adult language, sexual content, themes of consent, drugs or alcohol use Sensory warnings: Haze About the Artist Kerri Flannigan (she/they) is an interdisciplinary artist, performer, and educator currently based on Lkwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ Territories (Victoria, BC), who experiments with methods of research and storytelling through installation, video, and performance. With a background as an experimental animator and zine-maker, Flannigan is interested in investigating different ways of creating and performing narratives, working to create frameworks where the personal is critically connected to a wider sphere of context. Family mythologies, the history of wildfire, queer experiences of place, and swimming have all been subjects of recent works. Flannigan has shown locally and internationally and was a recipient of the Best English Zine at the Expozine Awards (2011 and 2014); a recent artist-in-residence with Impulse Theatre and The Only Animal; and runner-up to the inaugural Lind Prize.
Metro Studio
Metro Studio
This show is part of the Victoria Arts Council’s month-long event, STILL WITH US: A Legacy of HIV/AIDS in the Arts — an ambitious project, two years in the making, that brings together local and international partners from the literary, performing, and visual arts communities, in association with a leading local health agency. Tickets for this show will be available October 1. Learn more about the other events HERE. This performance series includes: A welcome drum song from Aunty Collective; Saying Goodbye to My Brother, a remount by Lynda Raino of the duet she choreographed and performed with Shawn Costello (1961-1989) in 1988, co-presented by Dance Victoria; an excerpt from i am beauty, a new verbatim opera by librettist Rick Waines and composer Mary Jane Coomber featuring four vocalists and accompaniment, activating the HIV in My Day oral history research project housed at the University of Victoria; and The Viral Monologues featuring first-person accounts from the frontlines by AVI Health & Community Services affiliates, remounted by Intrepid Theatre. ** A portion of proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to AVI Health & Community Services (recognizing 40 years of support this year).
The Baumann Centre
The Baumann Centre
Tackle Box is a coming of age story based on Cheyenne Scott's real life experience salmon fishing with her Tsawout/Norwegian family. Performed as a one-person show, Spring, puts the pieces of herself back together by reflecting on her relationship to family and the land, while in pursuit of catching her first Chinook salmon. The Tackle Box carries stories as gifts or good medicine and important teachings. The story is told through a series of vignettes or memories: from collecting slugs, to learning to set up the fishing rods, and grieving a wounded seal pup. During this phase of development the team is experimenting with form, staging, and introducing a touch of the soundscape. Development support has been provided by First Peoples Cultural Council, Intrepid Stages and Spaces, Cahoots Theatre Hot House Program, Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council Credits Written by — Cheyenne Scott Co-Directed by — Jessica Schact and Julie McIsaac Accessibility Sensory warnings: Audience interaction/participation Content warnings: Adult language About the Artist Cheyenne Scott is a member of the SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout) First Nation/Norwegian settler descent, and an actor, playwright, and creative producer with a focus on new works. Having learned theatre through a colonial lens, she is working to Indigenize her process through her W̱ SÁNEĆ values, land-based methodology, and storytelling. She is a multi Dora Mavor Moore nominated artist for co-creating/performing Now You See Her (Quote Unquote Collective/Nightwood/Why Not Theatre) which was published by Coach House, and for The Home Project (Howland/Native Earth/Soulpepper). Cheyenne was named the protégé of Lori Marchand for the Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award. She is an Artistic Associate for Urban Ink and Associate Artistic Director for Western Canada Theatre. Select Acting Credits include: Children of God (Urban Ink/NAC, Citadel/WCT, Segal Centre), The Herd (Citadel/Tarragon), The Last Five Years (Blue Bridge) Joyride (Caravan Farm Theatre), The Drowning Girls (WCT), Mistatim (Red Sky Performance), Trojan Girls and the Outhouse of Atreus (Outside the March/Factory). Julie McIsaac is a versatile director, dramaturg and creator of theatre and opera, Julie earned her Master’s in Theatre from the University of York (UK), and is also a graduate of Carleton University and the Canadian College of Performing Arts. She is a Jessie, Ovation and BroadwayWorld award winner, a founding member of the Honest Fishmongers (Critics’ Choice Innovation award nom.), a previous Artist-in-Residence with Pacific Opera, and in 2019 was named Director/Dramaturg-in-Residence at the Canadian Opera Company, where she led the critically-acclaimed premiere of Ian Cusson and Colleen Murphy’s Fantasma. Directing highlights include the premiere of The Nightingale of a Thousand Songs (Canadian Children’s Opera Company), The Last Five Years (Blue Bridge), Beauty’s Beast (East Van Opera), The Exquisite Hour (Playhouse Fringe award), Pride and Prejudice (Chemainus) and the multiple award-winning Poly Queer Love Ballad by Sara Vickruck & Anais West. Julie is the playwright and award-winning composer/arranger/sound designer of The Out Vigil which was featured in the New American Voices Festival in London’s West End and premiered in Vancouver in 2016, receiving a total 5 Jessie nominations including Outstanding Production. Jessica Schacht is a director, dramaturg, and writer living gratefully on Quw’utsun territory, Vancouver Island. She comes from Métis and Canadian families and her work and ethos centre around exploring identity and relationships through the cultural, environmental, and personal experiences that shape us. She is a graduate of the University of Victoria's Theatre Program and has honed her craft at the Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity's Dramaturgy for Dance residency, Theatre Replacement's New Aesthetics Performance Intensive, as well as PTC's Block A program. As a theatre artist she has worked across genres of theatre, opera, and dance. Select credits include: Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (Director - Chemainus Theatre); TheFiancee (Director - Chemainus Theatre); In the Shadow of the Mountains Workshop (Dramaturg– Visceral Visions); Gather in Nature (Dramaturg – New World Theatre/Pacific Theatre); SisNe'Bi-Yiz: A Mother Bear’s Journey (Associate Director/Dramaturg– Heart of the City Festival); Dialogue Dances (Dramaturg – National Ballet of Canada); Kamloopa (Fire Igniter – WCT/The Cultch/Persephone/GTNT). Jessica has been the Artist in Residence at Pacific Opera Victoria and the Artistic Associate at TheatreOne.
Intrepid Studio
Intrepid Studio
We've ruined the Earth in one lifetime. 85% of the carbon in our air has happened since World War II. In Ten Thousand Things, acclaimed storyteller Brendan McLeod tracks how we got here, and how nothing (still!) seems to be getting done about it. What begins as an examination of Western history—how commodification separates people, how language influences power, history's annoying insistence on repeating—soon morphs into a personal exploration of grief and joy. The answer to the simple question—what would societal change actually look like—is obviously not so simple, but potential answers aren't as complex as expected, and might even be uplifting. From the former Canadian SLAM champ, the creator of hit Victoria fringe shows "Brain" and "Ridge", comes the world premiere of a new solo performance, which, for a show about human annihilation, also has quite a few jokes. Credits Written by – Brendan McLeod Performed by — Brendan McLeod Directed by — Julie Course Accessibility There are no Content or Sensory Warnings for this show. About the Artist Brendan McLeod is a writer, theatre creator, and musician. He’s the author of a poetry collection, a novel, and seven theatre shows. A JUNO-nominated songwriter with his folk group The Fugitives, he's the former Canadian SLAM champ, and was the Poet of Honour at the 2012 Canadian Festival of Spoken Word. Here in Victoria, his 2015 solo show Brain won Best Male Performer at the Fringe Festival. His next show, Ridge, won our Virtual Pick of the Fringe in 2020.
Metro Studio
Metro Studio
Death of a Salesman meets Mr. Bean... A lonely office worker squeezes through a portal in their bathroom mirror and goes on a quest for the meaning of life in this surreal physical comedy. The mundane becomes extraordinary as each vignette and dance takes you deeper into a whimsical world of illusion. The Routine will leave you in stitches and remind you of the magic within. ★★★★★ Secunda doesn’t just put on a show, they pull you into a world where routines are poetry and the mundane is pure magic. — the LIST UK ★★★★★ — Edmonton Journal “An overall rollicking good time.” — Broadway World “Secunda has great comedic timing and fantastic physicality that really shines” — Mooney on Theatre “If Jim Carrey is the male rubberface, Secunda might just be the female equivalent.” — Forget the Box “...non-stop physicality...pushes the edges of reality.” — Showbill Credits Joylyn Secunda — Co-creator, performer, sound designer, producer David Secunda — Director, co-creator Linda Arkelian — Movement coach Accessibility Content warnings: Adult language, sexual content, drugs or alcohol use, depictions of violence: references to corporal punihcment, death, war. Sensory warnings: Audience interaction/participation About the Artist Joylyn Secunda (they/them) — co-creator, performer, sound designer, producer Joylyn Secunda is a physical theatre artist, actor, dancer, and puppeteer based in Vancouver, Canada. They grew up in a performing arts family and have recently collaborated with their parents David Secunda (director) and Linda Arkelian (choreographer) on their solo shows. They toured their critically acclaimed solo show, The Moaning Yoni across Canada and most recently performed The Routine at the Adelaide Fringe and in Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, and Winnipeg. In addition to their solo career, they have performed with theatre companies including the National Arts Centre and The Wonderheads. Joylyn was mentored by Crystal Pite in the Startle Reflex Residency. They are a BFA Acting graduate from UBC and have studied clown with John Turner (Mump & Smoot) and Aitor Basauri (Spymonkey), mime with Dean Evans (Cirque du Soleil), Corporeal mime at Théâtre Omnibus, and devised theatre at Dell’Arte International. David Secunda (he/him) — co-creator, director Originally a visual artist specializing in fibre arts David Secunda transformed into a performance artist as he experimented in ritual style performance art at art show openings and conferences. Through the 1980's David Secunda performed physical theatre, experimented with his giant woven fibre masks and puppets, and toured nationally and internationally with Imago and Theatre of Giants. 1989-2012, he taught theatre arts in Coquitlam and has published two novels, Balancing Act and Fluid. He is the director and co-writer of The Moaning Yoni and The Routine. Linda Arkelian (she/her) — choreographer Linda has performed internationally with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Theatre Ballet of Canada, Anna Wyman Dance Theatre and the Judith Marcuse Dance Company. She was the recipient of a Canada Council grant in 1991 to study at the National Dance Intensive and the National Voice Intensive. Linda is a professional ballet and contemporary instructor and choreographer. She is ballet mistress and repertoire coach for Lamondance Company. In addition, Linda is a visual artist, actor and filmmaker. Her dance films with David Cooper have received worldwide acclaim and international screenings in the US, India and the UK.
Intrepid Studio
Intrepid Studio
It all started when Executive and Artistic Director Dyana Sonik-Henderson found herself captivated by the 1925 gothic and melodramatic silent picture Phantom of the Opera. With a spark of creative inspiration, she quickly became enthralled with old monster pictures and began to experiment with how to transform these iconic movie moments and stories into dance. The result is several short works that bring the classic horror movie genre of the 1920s, 30s, 40s, and 50s back to the stage and in 3D. Combining Broken Rhythms’ innovative rhythmical contemporary style you’re in for a captivating and nostalgic experience. This performance is supported by the Victoria Foundation as part of Intrepid Theatre’s Stages & Spaces program. Limited $25 Early Bird tickets available until Monday Sept 1st. Early Bird tickets get early entrance and a pre-show chat (for 7:30pm performances only). Credits Choreography: Dyana Sonik-Henderson Accessibility Content warnings: None. Sensory warnings: Haze. About the Artist Broken Rhythms Victoria Society is a Victoria-based, registered not-for-profit independent dance company founded in 2011 under the artistic direction of Dyana Sonik-Henderson. The company was created to showcase the unique style of Rhythmical Contemporary, to provide local artists with performance and training opportunities, and to support and develop the Canadian arts community. Broken Rhythms has created and produced numerous original works such as SPARK, GRIM, SEVEN, UNIVERSAL HORRORS, THYSELF, INTERNAL RHYTHMS, INTO THE WIRE, 1,000 PIECES OF ∏ , ABOVE ME, CHIARO:SCURO, KNOTTED and ON HOLD that have toured all over Canada. They have been awarded nine Pick of the Fringe awards, named as one of Toronto Star’s “can’t miss shows at the Toronto fringe”, received the LOLA International project award and most recently were invited to perform at Dancing on the Edge/Vancouver Contemporary festival 2025.
Metro Studio
Metro Studio
1. I am STILL waiting to be discovered. 2. Most of my best stories aren’t even true. 3. I'm a liar, a cheat, and a thief. 4. I chain smoke. 5. I adore cheap mayonnaise. 6. I am secretly proud of my terrible table manners. 7. I haven’t had sex in over a year. Maybe two years. Actually, 6 years. 8. I can't stop scrolling!!! 9. I just want people to think I’m cool. 10. I am a loser. & I want to tell you all about it. J McLaughlin is a mean, funny, petulant, weird queer old maid obsessed with understanding and unpacking anxiety, ecstasy, true love, dark thoughts, inner peace, death, desire, enlightenment, sex, smoking, drinking, fear, rage, paranoia, guilt, greed, pleasure, failure, egomania, megalomania, & other people. Four out of 5 robots agree: “J McLaughlin’s desperate megalomania will make you feel better about your own problems.” Credits Written by – J McLaughlin Performed by - J McLaughlin Accessibility . Sensory warnings: Haze Content warnings: Adult language, sexual content, themes of consent, drugs of alcohol use, depictions or mentions of violence (surrealistic depictions of rage-fuelled revenge scenarios), potential nudity. About the Artist J McLaughlin is a shy, queer anarcho-bourgeois musician and performer. They have been entertaining, enthralling & occasionally unsettling burlesque, drag, stand-up, theatrical & music audiences for over 30 years. Working from deep within an incandescent cathedral of optimistic rage, McLaughlin’s solo performances use intimate narrative, dark humour, & surreal ribaldry to de/reconstruct the cognitive dissonance of living within a cisheteronormative imperialist white supremacist capitalist patriarchy.
Metro Studio
Metro Studio
Spice It Up Victoria Presents Bollywood Cabaret: Lights, Camera, Drama! The essence of the Hindi Film Industry, also known as Bollywood, comes alive in this vibrant variety show. A celebration of cinema, music, and storytelling, this performance takes you through different stories, movies, and melodies—all seen through the eyes of aspiring artists. Bad Shah, our charismatic narrator, will guide you through multiple genres of Bollywood, weaving emotion, drama, and rhythm into every scene. Alongside a lineup of incredible local artists, this show promises a night of sparkle, nostalgia, and pure entertainment. The question is: Are you ready? Because the spotlight is waiting—and the magic of Bollywood is about to unfold. Credits Stay tuned for the full artist lineup! Accessibility Sensory warnings: Audience interaction/participation Content warnings: There are no current content warnings for this show About the Artists Someone is here to bring the heat, and he’s got all the spice of Mumbai wrapped in his bold, queer, and fabulous persona. As the first Bollywood Drag King of Canada, Bad Shah infuses his performances with a unique blend of high-energy Bollywood choreography. Whether it's through his show-stopping performances or his bold expression of queerness, He captivates and electrifies audiences every time he hits the stage. You might have seen him headlining Victoria Pride, or seen him dancing alongside BBNO$ at the JUNO Awards and being a member of all drag king boy band Call Us Men;) , showcasing his versatility. He’s also an active collaborator with Sher Vancouver, working to support the queer South Asian community and create spaces for inclusion and empowerment. As the producer of Spice It Up Victoria, he continues to amplify the voices of marginalized communities while delivering unforgettable performances. Bad Shah is here to make some noise, get ready to sweat because he’s bringing the spice with him! Stay tuned for the full artist lineup!
Intrepid Studio
Intrepid Studio
What are the new models, new frameworks, new approaches? Who are the new models, new archetypes, new leaders? Join us for a meditative performance of Vivek Shraya’s 11th solo album NEW MODELS (Twin Fang Records) followed by a revisitation of her previous musical works. Part concert, part ritual, this work invites audiences to reflect on the shifting cultural landscape and uncertainties. "What follows isn’t a literal scream or cry, but Shraya’s own sonic synthesis of meditative coos colliding into a bombastic end, leaving listeners with a sense of catharsis that can’t really be put into words." —CBC Music Accessibility Sensory warnings: There are no sensory warnings for this show Content warnings: Adult language About the Artist Vivek Shraya is an artist whose body of work crosses the boundaries of music, literature, visual art, theatre, TV, film, and fashion. A three-time Canadian Screen Award winner, Vivek is the creator and writer of the CBC Gem Original Series "How to Fail as a Popstar," which had its international premiere at Cannes. She was nominated for the Polaris Music Prize and has collaborated with musical icons Jann Arden, Peaches, and Jully Black. Her best-selling book "I’m Afraid of Men" was heralded by Vanity Fair as “cultural rocket fuel.” Vivek has been a brand ambassador for MAC Cosmetics and Pantene, a guest host on The Social and CBC’s q, and she is a director on the board of the Tegan and Sara Foundation.
Metro Studio
Metro Studio
Shirley Gnome is a singer who has spent sixteen years performing songs about adult topics. Even though she’s been doing this for a long time, she’s never had a big hit. That changes when a video of her at a music festival, looking a bit "out of it", gets posted on TikTok by a teenager. The video quickly goes viral. A popular TikTok creator named DJ BBKn0$e turns the video into a song that becomes a huge hit with kids - the next “Baby Shark.” Suddenly, Shirley finds herself famous with a new, younger audience. She decides to go along with it to make more money. She’s invited to perform at an elite private school, hoping this new direction will finally pay off. But things quickly fall apart. The kids are confused by the songs, and her lyrics raise disturbing questions that no child (or parent) is ready for. Through this experience, Shirley starts to reflect on her fears about the world, the future, and the kind of planet we’re leaving behind. What starts as a cash grab gig turns into something deeper — a challenge to modern despair. Let’s be clear: this is not a real kids' show. It’s satire. Please do not bring your children. Seriously. Credits Written by – Shirley Gnome and Becky Johnson Performed by Shirley Gnome Featuring the voices of: Shirley Gnome featuring the voices of Bunnie Gnome Duckie Gnome Boden Fear Leigh Cameron Ursa Folinsbee Vanilla Frog Olive Merkin Knowles Maximilian Thunder Chevalier Shortt Ryan Beil Becky Johnson Story by Becky Johnson and Shirley Gnome Music and Lyrics by Shirley Gnome Accessibility Content warnings: Adult language, sexual content, drugs or alcohol use, depictions of violence: references to corporal punihcment, death, war. Sensory warnings: Loud noises, audience interaction/participation About the Artist Shirley Gnome - Playwright/Composer Shirley Gnome is a Juno-nominated comedian, songwriter and vocalist based out of Vancouver BC/Montreal QC. She is celebrated for performing folk, rock, pop, and country with satirical subject matter and stunning vocals. Her witty, hilarious lyrics tackle topics both silly and provocative, captivating audiences with playful and biting content. Gnome has earned rave reviews and accolades in five countries. She’s performed at Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Philadelphia Folk Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, JFL Vancouver, Winnipeg Comedy Festival and more. Gnome has been featured on CBC Radio’s The Debaters, CBC Gem, and Sirius XM, and is signed with Comedy Here Often? Records. In 2021, her album Decoxification earned a Juno Award nomination. In 2024, she made her television debut at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival’s TV galas. Her latest album, Live Bare & Natural, was released on March 27th, 2025, along with her accompanying comedy special. Becky Johnson - Playwright Becky Johnson is a veteran of the Canadian comedy scene currently based in Toronto. She is an alumna of the Toronto Second City Mainstage, has created and toured her own scripted and improvised shows internationally and has appeared in iconic Canadian plays including the European premiere of Daniel MacIvor’s A Beautiful View and the world premiere of Sheila Heti’s All Our Happy Days Are Stupid. Becky has been nominated for seven Canadian Comedy Awards and has won two. On screen, Becky can be found in Baroness Von Sketch Show (Frantic Films/IFC), What We Do In The Shadows (FX), Workin’ Moms (CBC), Gary and His Demons (Blue Ant/Look Mom), Odd Squad (PBS/Sinking Ship), The Beaverton (Comedy Network/Pier 21 Films), Space Riders: Division Earth (CTV Extend/Hulu), The Amazing Gayl Pile (CBC/LaRue Entertainment) and more. Becky has won two Canadian Screen Awards for writing on Baroness Von Sketch Show and has also contributed to Because News (CBC Radio One) and This Hour Has 22 Minutes (CBC). She is currently developing several scripted projects of her own.
Metro Studio
Metro Studio
Slow Dive is an auto-fictography and queer coming-of-age tale spanning the course of 20 years that asks “What do our bodies know?" The story is told through a series of vignettes combining experimental documentary and projected animations. A relationship to swimming and themes of water move throughout, drawing on symbolism and parallels to portray embodiment, grief, self-love, and queer identity. Alongside personal narratives and reflections, Slow Dive collages research-based historical accounts such as the colonial roots of the breaststroke, a rumoured secret romance that inspired the writing of The Little Mermaid, and iconic cultural references like the hanky code and the first 'lesbian’ kiss on Star Trek Credits Directed by – Emma Tibaldo Dramaturgy – Fatma Sarah Elkashef Production Design – potatoCakes_digital Original Compositions – Estraven Lupino-Smith Additional consultation/collaboration/production feedback – Catherine Hahn, Jessica Hickman, Britt Small, Mind of a Snail, Liz Charters Created in Residencies with OUTstages and Playwrights’ Workshop Montreal Accessibility Content warnings: Adult language, sexual content, themes of consent, drugs or alcohol use Sensory warnings: Haze About the Artist Kerri Flannigan (she/they) is an interdisciplinary artist, performer, and educator currently based on Lkwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ Territories (Victoria, BC), who experiments with methods of research and storytelling through installation, video, and performance. With a background as an experimental animator and zine-maker, Flannigan is interested in investigating different ways of creating and performing narratives, working to create frameworks where the personal is critically connected to a wider sphere of context. Family mythologies, the history of wildfire, queer experiences of place, and swimming have all been subjects of recent works. Flannigan has shown locally and internationally and was a recipient of the Best English Zine at the Expozine Awards (2011 and 2014); a recent artist-in-residence with Impulse Theatre and The Only Animal; and runner-up to the inaugural Lind Prize.
Metro Studio
Metro Studio
This show is part of the Victoria Arts Council’s month-long event, STILL WITH US: A Legacy of HIV/AIDS in the Arts — an ambitious project, two years in the making, that brings together local and international partners from the literary, performing, and visual arts communities, in association with a leading local health agency. Tickets for this show will be available October 1. Learn more about the other events HERE. This performance series includes: A welcome drum song from Aunty Collective; Saying Goodbye to My Brother, a remount by Lynda Raino of the duet she choreographed and performed with Shawn Costello (1961-1989) in 1988, co-presented by Dance Victoria; an excerpt from i am beauty, a new verbatim opera by librettist Rick Waines and composer Mary Jane Coomber featuring four vocalists and accompaniment, activating the HIV in My Day oral history research project housed at the University of Victoria; and The Viral Monologues featuring first-person accounts from the frontlines by AVI Health & Community Services affiliates, remounted by Intrepid Theatre. ** A portion of proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to AVI Health & Community Services (recognizing 40 years of support this year).
The Baumann Centre
The Baumann Centre
Tackle Box is a coming of age story based on Cheyenne Scott's real life experience salmon fishing with her Tsawout/Norwegian family. Performed as a one-person show, Spring, puts the pieces of herself back together by reflecting on her relationship to family and the land, while in pursuit of catching her first Chinook salmon. The Tackle Box carries stories as gifts or good medicine and important teachings. The story is told through a series of vignettes or memories: from collecting slugs, to learning to set up the fishing rods, and grieving a wounded seal pup. During this phase of development the team is experimenting with form, staging, and introducing a touch of the soundscape. Development support has been provided by First Peoples Cultural Council, Intrepid Stages and Spaces, Cahoots Theatre Hot House Program, Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council Credits Written by — Cheyenne Scott Co-Directed by — Jessica Schact and Julie McIsaac Accessibility Sensory warnings: Audience interaction/participation Content warnings: Adult language About the Artist Cheyenne Scott is a member of the SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout) First Nation/Norwegian settler descent, and an actor, playwright, and creative producer with a focus on new works. Having learned theatre through a colonial lens, she is working to Indigenize her process through her W̱ SÁNEĆ values, land-based methodology, and storytelling. She is a multi Dora Mavor Moore nominated artist for co-creating/performing Now You See Her (Quote Unquote Collective/Nightwood/Why Not Theatre) which was published by Coach House, and for The Home Project (Howland/Native Earth/Soulpepper). Cheyenne was named the protégé of Lori Marchand for the Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award. She is an Artistic Associate for Urban Ink and Associate Artistic Director for Western Canada Theatre. Select Acting Credits include: Children of God (Urban Ink/NAC, Citadel/WCT, Segal Centre), The Herd (Citadel/Tarragon), The Last Five Years (Blue Bridge) Joyride (Caravan Farm Theatre), The Drowning Girls (WCT), Mistatim (Red Sky Performance), Trojan Girls and the Outhouse of Atreus (Outside the March/Factory). Julie McIsaac is a versatile director, dramaturg and creator of theatre and opera, Julie earned her Master’s in Theatre from the University of York (UK), and is also a graduate of Carleton University and the Canadian College of Performing Arts. She is a Jessie, Ovation and BroadwayWorld award winner, a founding member of the Honest Fishmongers (Critics’ Choice Innovation award nom.), a previous Artist-in-Residence with Pacific Opera, and in 2019 was named Director/Dramaturg-in-Residence at the Canadian Opera Company, where she led the critically-acclaimed premiere of Ian Cusson and Colleen Murphy’s Fantasma. Directing highlights include the premiere of The Nightingale of a Thousand Songs (Canadian Children’s Opera Company), The Last Five Years (Blue Bridge), Beauty’s Beast (East Van Opera), The Exquisite Hour (Playhouse Fringe award), Pride and Prejudice (Chemainus) and the multiple award-winning Poly Queer Love Ballad by Sara Vickruck & Anais West. Julie is the playwright and award-winning composer/arranger/sound designer of The Out Vigil which was featured in the New American Voices Festival in London’s West End and premiered in Vancouver in 2016, receiving a total 5 Jessie nominations including Outstanding Production. Jessica Schacht is a director, dramaturg, and writer living gratefully on Quw’utsun territory, Vancouver Island. She comes from Métis and Canadian families and her work and ethos centre around exploring identity and relationships through the cultural, environmental, and personal experiences that shape us. She is a graduate of the University of Victoria's Theatre Program and has honed her craft at the Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity's Dramaturgy for Dance residency, Theatre Replacement's New Aesthetics Performance Intensive, as well as PTC's Block A program. As a theatre artist she has worked across genres of theatre, opera, and dance. Select credits include: Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (Director - Chemainus Theatre); TheFiancee (Director - Chemainus Theatre); In the Shadow of the Mountains Workshop (Dramaturg– Visceral Visions); Gather in Nature (Dramaturg – New World Theatre/Pacific Theatre); SisNe'Bi-Yiz: A Mother Bear’s Journey (Associate Director/Dramaturg– Heart of the City Festival); Dialogue Dances (Dramaturg – National Ballet of Canada); Kamloopa (Fire Igniter – WCT/The Cultch/Persephone/GTNT). Jessica has been the Artist in Residence at Pacific Opera Victoria and the Artistic Associate at TheatreOne.
Intrepid Studio
Intrepid Studio
We've ruined the Earth in one lifetime. 85% of the carbon in our air has happened since World War II. In Ten Thousand Things, acclaimed storyteller Brendan McLeod tracks how we got here, and how nothing (still!) seems to be getting done about it. What begins as an examination of Western history—how commodification separates people, how language influences power, history's annoying insistence on repeating—soon morphs into a personal exploration of grief and joy. The answer to the simple question—what would societal change actually look like—is obviously not so simple, but potential answers aren't as complex as expected, and might even be uplifting. From the former Canadian SLAM champ, the creator of hit Victoria fringe shows "Brain" and "Ridge", comes the world premiere of a new solo performance, which, for a show about human annihilation, also has quite a few jokes. Credits Written by – Brendan McLeod Performed by — Brendan McLeod Directed by — Julie Course Accessibility There are no Content or Sensory Warnings for this show. About the Artist Brendan McLeod is a writer, theatre creator, and musician. He’s the author of a poetry collection, a novel, and seven theatre shows. A JUNO-nominated songwriter with his folk group The Fugitives, he's the former Canadian SLAM champ, and was the Poet of Honour at the 2012 Canadian Festival of Spoken Word. Here in Victoria, his 2015 solo show Brain won Best Male Performer at the Fringe Festival. His next show, Ridge, won our Virtual Pick of the Fringe in 2020.
Metro Studio
Metro Studio
Death of a Salesman meets Mr. Bean... A lonely office worker squeezes through a portal in their bathroom mirror and goes on a quest for the meaning of life in this surreal physical comedy. The mundane becomes extraordinary as each vignette and dance takes you deeper into a whimsical world of illusion. The Routine will leave you in stitches and remind you of the magic within. ★★★★★ Secunda doesn’t just put on a show, they pull you into a world where routines are poetry and the mundane is pure magic. — the LIST UK ★★★★★ — Edmonton Journal “An overall rollicking good time.” — Broadway World “Secunda has great comedic timing and fantastic physicality that really shines” — Mooney on Theatre “If Jim Carrey is the male rubberface, Secunda might just be the female equivalent.” — Forget the Box “...non-stop physicality...pushes the edges of reality.” — Showbill Credits Joylyn Secunda — Co-creator, performer, sound designer, producer David Secunda — Director, co-creator Linda Arkelian — Movement coach Accessibility Content warnings: Adult language, sexual content, drugs or alcohol use, depictions of violence: references to corporal punihcment, death, war. Sensory warnings: Audience interaction/participation About the Artist Joylyn Secunda (they/them) — co-creator, performer, sound designer, producer Joylyn Secunda is a physical theatre artist, actor, dancer, and puppeteer based in Vancouver, Canada. They grew up in a performing arts family and have recently collaborated with their parents David Secunda (director) and Linda Arkelian (choreographer) on their solo shows. They toured their critically acclaimed solo show, The Moaning Yoni across Canada and most recently performed The Routine at the Adelaide Fringe and in Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, and Winnipeg. In addition to their solo career, they have performed with theatre companies including the National Arts Centre and The Wonderheads. Joylyn was mentored by Crystal Pite in the Startle Reflex Residency. They are a BFA Acting graduate from UBC and have studied clown with John Turner (Mump & Smoot) and Aitor Basauri (Spymonkey), mime with Dean Evans (Cirque du Soleil), Corporeal mime at Théâtre Omnibus, and devised theatre at Dell’Arte International. David Secunda (he/him) — co-creator, director Originally a visual artist specializing in fibre arts David Secunda transformed into a performance artist as he experimented in ritual style performance art at art show openings and conferences. Through the 1980's David Secunda performed physical theatre, experimented with his giant woven fibre masks and puppets, and toured nationally and internationally with Imago and Theatre of Giants. 1989-2012, he taught theatre arts in Coquitlam and has published two novels, Balancing Act and Fluid. He is the director and co-writer of The Moaning Yoni and The Routine. Linda Arkelian (she/her) — choreographer Linda has performed internationally with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Theatre Ballet of Canada, Anna Wyman Dance Theatre and the Judith Marcuse Dance Company. She was the recipient of a Canada Council grant in 1991 to study at the National Dance Intensive and the National Voice Intensive. Linda is a professional ballet and contemporary instructor and choreographer. She is ballet mistress and repertoire coach for Lamondance Company. In addition, Linda is a visual artist, actor and filmmaker. Her dance films with David Cooper have received worldwide acclaim and international screenings in the US, India and the UK.
Intrepid Studio
Intrepid Studio
It all started when Executive and Artistic Director Dyana Sonik-Henderson found herself captivated by the 1925 gothic and melodramatic silent picture Phantom of the Opera. With a spark of creative inspiration, she quickly became enthralled with old monster pictures and began to experiment with how to transform these iconic movie moments and stories into dance. The result is several short works that bring the classic horror movie genre of the 1920s, 30s, 40s, and 50s back to the stage and in 3D. Combining Broken Rhythms’ innovative rhythmical contemporary style you’re in for a captivating and nostalgic experience. This performance is supported by the Victoria Foundation as part of Intrepid Theatre’s Stages & Spaces program. Limited $25 Early Bird tickets available until Monday Sept 1st. Early Bird tickets get early entrance and a pre-show chat (for 7:30pm performances only). Credits Choreography: Dyana Sonik-Henderson Accessibility Content warnings: None. Sensory warnings: Haze. About the Artist Broken Rhythms Victoria Society is a Victoria-based, registered not-for-profit independent dance company founded in 2011 under the artistic direction of Dyana Sonik-Henderson. The company was created to showcase the unique style of Rhythmical Contemporary, to provide local artists with performance and training opportunities, and to support and develop the Canadian arts community. Broken Rhythms has created and produced numerous original works such as SPARK, GRIM, SEVEN, UNIVERSAL HORRORS, THYSELF, INTERNAL RHYTHMS, INTO THE WIRE, 1,000 PIECES OF ∏ , ABOVE ME, CHIARO:SCURO, KNOTTED and ON HOLD that have toured all over Canada. They have been awarded nine Pick of the Fringe awards, named as one of Toronto Star’s “can’t miss shows at the Toronto fringe”, received the LOLA International project award and most recently were invited to perform at Dancing on the Edge/Vancouver Contemporary festival 2025.
Metro Studio
Metro Studio
1. I am STILL waiting to be discovered. 2. Most of my best stories aren’t even true. 3. I'm a liar, a cheat, and a thief. 4. I chain smoke. 5. I adore cheap mayonnaise. 6. I am secretly proud of my terrible table manners. 7. I haven’t had sex in over a year. Maybe two years. Actually, 6 years. 8. I can't stop scrolling!!! 9. I just want people to think I’m cool. 10. I am a loser. & I want to tell you all about it. J McLaughlin is a mean, funny, petulant, weird queer old maid obsessed with understanding and unpacking anxiety, ecstasy, true love, dark thoughts, inner peace, death, desire, enlightenment, sex, smoking, drinking, fear, rage, paranoia, guilt, greed, pleasure, failure, egomania, megalomania, & other people. Four out of 5 robots agree: “J McLaughlin’s desperate megalomania will make you feel better about your own problems.” Credits Written by – J McLaughlin Performed by - J McLaughlin Accessibility . Sensory warnings: Haze Content warnings: Adult language, sexual content, themes of consent, drugs of alcohol use, depictions or mentions of violence (surrealistic depictions of rage-fuelled revenge scenarios), potential nudity. About the Artist J McLaughlin is a shy, queer anarcho-bourgeois musician and performer. They have been entertaining, enthralling & occasionally unsettling burlesque, drag, stand-up, theatrical & music audiences for over 30 years. Working from deep within an incandescent cathedral of optimistic rage, McLaughlin’s solo performances use intimate narrative, dark humour, & surreal ribaldry to de/reconstruct the cognitive dissonance of living within a cisheteronormative imperialist white supremacist capitalist patriarchy.
Metro Studio
Metro Studio