Upstage - The Children

A GREAT PLACE TO READ ABOUT GREAT THEATRE · SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2019

The Children Lucy Kirkwood’s slow-burning drama asks profound questions.

VOLUME 6 / ISSUE 1

Hello!

Welcome to the Belfry and our production of The Children.

We’re thrilled to welcome Brenda Robins back.

Brenda played Vera in our production of 4000 Miles this past May. She’s joined by veteran actors Nancy Palk and Joseph Ziegler, who both made their Belfry debuts in the play Da, back in 1980.

We’ve started an entertaining new feature on our website - Storylines - it’s a digital compendium that we’ll produce for each show.

For our production of The Children we’ve got video interviews and a podcast with playwright Lucy Kirkwood - please check it out - https://www.belfry.bc.ca/storylines-thechildren/ As always, we look forward to seeing you at

B4Play

Anita Rochon and Gregor Craigie Photo by Don Craig

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 AT 11 AM

the theatre.

BMO Studio Theatre, 1291 Gladstone Avenue

COVER PHOTO - LUCY KIRKWOOD

Free Event. A live talk show hosted by CBC Radio’s Gregor Craigie and featuring interviews with actor Brenda Robins, director Michael Shamata, Dr. Denise Cloutier (Professor, Department of Geography; and Research Affiliate, Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health, University of Victoria) and

is produced four times per year and can be found at branches of the Greater Victoria Public Library, the Belfry and online at issuu.com/belfrytheatre. If you would like a digital copy please drop us a line at hello@belfry.bc.ca.

Dr. Anita Girvan (Athabasca University and the author of Carbon Footprints as cultural-ecological metaphors (2017).

You can watch the livestream of B4Play on facebook and the event will be podcast at belfry.bc.ca/podcasts.

Join Us

BELFRY THEATRE 1291 GLADSTONE AVENUE

instagram.com/belfrytheatre

vimeo.com/belfrytheatre

facebook.com/belfrytheatre

twitter.com/belfrytheatre

VICTORIA, BC V8T 1G5 WWW.BELFRY.BC.CA

The Children is generously supported by

Tickets 250-385-6815 / tickets.belfry.bc.ca

Upstage is supported by

T H E D E B AT E O V E R NUCLEAR POWER: An engineer looks at the issues

By Jason Martinko

NUCLEAR POWER IS A TOUCHY SUBJECT AND ONE THAT IS BOUND TO

refurbishment program; coal provides only 3 percent of Ontario’s

GENERATE MUCH PASSIONATE DEBATE, but I am a firm believer in the

electricity; and the number of smog days in 2013 had dropped to two.

respect that this technology deserves, and in the importance of having open and informed discussions about it. I would like to address three common areas of concern among nuclear dissenters, and try to clarify some misconceptions.

Myth #1: Nuclear power is neither safe nor clean.

The truth is that nuclear power is a unique source of energy that demands the utmost respect, and the regulatory body for a country’s nuclear program ensures that it receives that respect. Although the energy stored in a reactor core is staggering, today’s nuclear power plants have an equally staggering array of fail-safe safety features that ensure that at all times the nuclear reaction is controlled, the nuclear fuel is kept cool, and any radioactivity is contained within the facility’s

Myth #2: There is no such thing as a “safe” dose of radiation, and people living near nuclear plants are exposed to high levels of it.

Unfortunately, this is not a black-and-white issue. Both the CNSC and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recognize that any increase in radiation dose, regardless of amount, results in an incremental increase in the risk of cancer. However, it’s important for people to understand that background radiation has been with us since the beginning of time and we are constantly exposed to it, from space (cosmic radiation), the food we eat (potassium-40 from bananas, for example) and from the ground we walk on.

containment structure. These independent layers of safety systems

Radiation levels in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant may be slightly

are designed to function even without power, and are tested regularly

elevated above those of average background radiation, but if you

as mandated by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).

compare the yearly radiation dose that a person living, for example,

Regarding the “unclean” descriptor, consider coal power: in the year 2000, 29 percent of Ontario’s electricity was generated by fossil fuel, and the number of days with smog alerts in Toronto was 45. Flash forward to today, and an additional 3200MW of nuclear power has returned to service from the Bruce A station through a first-of-a-kind PHOTO - Nuclear power plant Dukovany in the Czech Republic

by Martin Lisner

in Denver, Colorado receives by virtue of living at high altitude and being exposed to more cosmic radiation (11.8 millisieverts (mSv)/yr), to the additional dose received by living near a nuclear plant (0.003 mSv/yr at the Bruce Power site boundary), the numbers suggest that there is a far greater risk posed by the radiation dose received from everyday activities than from living near a nuclear plant.

Continued > 3

Myth #3: We don’t know what to do with the enormous amount of nuclear waste.

fuel. This not only reduces the volume of high-level waste that would otherwise be generated by about 80%, but also reduces the

In Canada, all the nuclear waste generated in over 50 years of commercial operation is only enough to fill six hockey rinks to the tops of their boards. Additionally, unlike conventional industrial waste, which remains toxic forever, the radioactive hazard associated with nuclear waste decays (albeit slowly) over time.

Policies, technology and facilities are already in place in Europe,

radioactivity and decay time of what’s left over after the reprocessing.

Is nuclear power perfect? No. Personally, I’d like to see a future where all power is generated from sustainable sources without any waste products, though this future is, unfortunately, still a distant one. So in the meantime, I’ll continue to support all forms of power generation that displace fossil fuel and result in a net reduction in carbon

Russia and Japan to reprocess spent nuclear fuel, effectively

emissions.

harvesting the “unburned” portion of nuclear fuel to make fresh

Reprinted with permission from Jason Martinko and Treehugger.com.

Cast & Creatives

Why I Chose This Play

Nancy Palk

Brenda Robins

Joseph Ziegler

HAZEL

ROSE

ROBIN

I read a review of this play in the New York Times not quite two years ago and sent for a copy of the script. Like the best playwrights, young Lucy Kirkwood (32 when the play premiered in 2016 at the Royal Court in London) wraps up the ideas she wants to explore in a story that keeps us engaged and intrigued.

She has created something of a Russian doll—stories inside ideas inside of stories. The play could be an eco-thriller. It might be a romantic triangle. Kirkwood set out to write a play that addresses

Lucy Kirkwood

Michael Shamata

PLAYWRIGHT

DIRECTOR

Christina Poddubiuk DESIGNER

climate change. She wrote a play that addresses the mess we have made of the planet and our responsibilities to the generations that follow—subjects that are part of the zeitgeist and totally relevant.

For me there is another theme that emerges—and while I do not think it is unintentional—it is astonishing from a writer of such youth. With all three characters being senior citizens, Kirkwood has woven through the play a subtle examination of how we relate to our

Alan Brodie

Tobin Stokes

Jennifer Swan

LIGHTING DESIGNER

COMPOSER / SOUND DESIGNER

STAGE MANAGER

flawed lives and our inevitable deaths. I find it immensely human and profoundly moving.

There are three other reasons I chose this play—important and exciting reasons: Nancy Palk, Brenda Robins and Joseph Ziegler. We are all old friends and colleagues, and they are the perfect cast for this play. Joe and Nancy—who play husband and wife in the play—are husband and wife in real life, and they and Brenda and I and Christina

Carissa Sams ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

Molly McDowellPowlowski

Poddubiuk our designer and Alan Brodie our lighting designer have all worked together in any number of permutations and combinations.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

In a play of such size and such detail it makes an enormous difference to work with artists of this calibre!

Molly’s participation is made possible through the Belfry’s Emerging Artist Enhancement Program, funded by the RBC Emerging Artists Project.

Tickets 250-385-6815 / tickets.belfry.bc.ca

Michael Shamata, Artistic Director

LIVE EVENTS

—

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

B4PLAY SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

AT 11 AM

to create the Witness Blanket, a large scale art instalation on permanent exhibit at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

Picking Up the Pieces: The Making of the Witness Blanket follows Newman and his team as they travel across Canada to meet

BMO Studio Theatre, 1291 Gladstone Avenue

survivors and collect these pieces of history. Through these

Free Event. A live talk show hosted by CBC Radio’s Gregor Craigie

survivors’ testimonies, the documentary offers a crucial account

and featuring interviews with actor Brenda Robins, director

of the atrocities committed in government-funded, church-

Michael Shamata, Dr. Denise Cloutier (UVic - Health and Social

run schools—and the lasting effects those acts have had on

geographer) and Dr. Anita Girvan (Athabasca University and the

Indigenous communities.

author of Carbon Footprints as cultural-ecological metaphors (2017).

Talkback Thursday THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

Play Reading SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 AT 7:30 PM Attaboy! by Janet Munsil Free event. Whiz-kid teen Daniel is hard at work on a top-secret

Meet the actors post-performance when they return to the stage

project in the backyard shed, a breakthrough that could change

to answer questions and provide insight into the play.

the world. When the EPA arrives to investigate, Dan is forced to

Afterplay

face the instability of his own future, and the consequences of his

Facilitated discussions – audience member to audience member

dangerous obsession.

– will follow every evening performance of The Children (except

Directed by Janet Munsil, Attaboy! stars Madeleine Humeny,

Opening Night and Talkback Thursday). These are a great

Kevin Kerr, Douglas Peerless, Justine Shore, Paul Terry and Jan

opportunity to share your thoughts and hear fellow patrons’

Wood.

reactions to the production and the ideas it presents.

Booksmack MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 AT 7:30 PM

VocalEye SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6 AT 2 PM

Free event. Join Greater Victoria Public librarians and special

For patrons with low or no vision, we offer this VocalEye

guests in the Belfry lobby for an evening of great book, music,

performance during The Children. Trained Audio Describers

audiobook and film recommendations. Bring your library card to

provide descriptions of the visual elements of the show, allowing

sign out material on the spot. Belfry concession / bar will be open

people with low vision to enjoy the theatrical experience without

for the event.

missing any of the details.

Running time: 90 minutes, including one intermission. No

Free Childcare Performances

reservations required. The lobby opens 1 hour prior to the start of

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 AT 2 PM / SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12 AT 4 PM

Parents of children (between 3 - 10 years old) can see a show at the Belfry and we’ll take care of the children for free.

the event for general admission seating.

Annual General Meeting for the Belfry Theatre Society

Children are cared for by a trained, professional Early Childcare

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7 AT 5:30 PM (AGM STARTS AT 6 PM)

Educator, just a short stroll from the theatre, and free of charge.

The Society will hold its Annual General Meeting on Monday,

Childcare space is at a premium so we ask parents to reserve in

October 7, 2019 at the Belfry Theatre, 1291 Gladstone Avenue,

advance, at least 1 week prior to your chosen performance.

Victoria, British Columbia.

To learn more, please email us at hello@belfry.bc.ca, or call the

Everyone is welcome to join us, but only members of the Belfry

box office at 250-385-6815 to reserve tickets and free childcare.

Theatre Society may vote on motions and resolutions (A member

Film Screening SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 AT 7 PM Picking Up the Pieces: The Making of the Witness Blanket Free event. In an attempt to honour the more than 150,000

is any individual who has donated a minimum of $25.00 to the Society between Sep 1, 2018 and Sep 1, 2019).

While not required, members are asked to RSVP by September 30, 2019 to rsvp@belfry.bc.ca or to call 250-385-6835.

victims of the Canadian residential-school system, including his own father, artist Carey Newman embarked on a long journey

5

SPOTLIGHT ON SUPPORTERS

Violet (Vi) Armstrong 1 9 1 8­– 2 0 1 8

Violet Armstrong served on the Belfry Board of Directors in the 1980s, and remained a dear part of the Belfry family until she passed away in her 100th year in 2018.

In the words of her family members: Vi cared. She cared about people - close up and far away. She cared about fairness, equality, and justice, and she cared about

Vi Armstrong Play Creation Fund The Belfry is always active in developing new plays. Our role takes many forms –

Originally from Taber, Alberta, Violet taught

everyone’s safety, health and education.

youth leadership and recreation classes

If Violet cared especially about you, you

in the southern regions. When she moved

knew it, whether you were 3 years old

to Berkeley, California with her husband,

or 103. She invested in her relationships.

Malcolm Taylor, she worked in Richmond,

She invested in you. If you connected, she

We are grateful to have received a gift

California’s Recreation Department as a youth

offered unconditional love and support - not

for new play creation from the estate of

programmer and counsellor, creating some

uncritical, but unconditional - to friends and

long-time Belfry supporter Vi Armstrong

of the city’s first integrated sport and social

family through the many changes she shared

(1918–2018).

programs.

with us all over the past 100 years.

Vi’s family has asked us to honour her

In 1968, Violet turned her eye for design

Vi’s warm presence is certainly missed at

and entrepreneurial skills to creating

the theatre, but her spirit lives on here, as

Boutique de Laine, Victoria’s first source for

does her name plate on her favourite seat

the world’s fine wools and Violet’s knitting

in the centre of the balcony. She planned a

instruction. The concept and execution were

gift from her estate, which will nurture new

If you support new play development,

so successful that though she later sold the

works by playwrights to be seen on our

or you had the pleasure of knowing Vi

business to enjoy retirement with her second

stage in years to come. We invite you to help

Armstrong, we encourage you to make

husband, William Armstrong, the boutique

support the creation of more new plays, with

a gift to help build the Vi Armstrong

continues to flourish today in Estevan Village.

a donation of any size to the Vi Armstrong

Play Creation Fund (every dollar you

Play Creation Fund. We also invite you to

give goes straight toward new play

make your own plans to ensure the future of

development).

Vi’s obvious passion for literature, art, theatre and music, along with her support for local artists, inspired the high-profile careers of her two children, Deanne and Burke Taylor.

Above: Vi trying on hats at the Stratford Festival gift shop several years ago, photographed by her daughter Deanne Taylor.

Tickets 250-385-6815 / tickets.belfry.bc.ca

theatre in Victoria, and speak with us about joining the Belfry Legacy Circle.

dramaturgy, workshops and readings – and each aspect requires some financial investment.

gift with a request to you. They would like to treble the gift so that new play development is sustained at the Belfry in perpetuity.

Thank you!

For information on the variety of ways to contribute to the Belfry, please contact Susan Stevenson, Director of Development at 250-385-6835 ext. 229 or development@belfry.bc.ca

Calendar

Belfry Librarian

The Children PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

September 17–October 13 , 2019 Tuesdays – Thursdays at 7:30 pm

The wonderful librarians at the Greater Victoria Public Library have compiled a list of books and videos to help you get even more out of our production of The Children.

Wednesday Matinees at 1 pm (September 25, October 2, 9) Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm Saturday Matinees at 4 pm Sunday Matinees at 2 pm Free Childcare Performances Sunday, September 29 at 2 pm Saturday, October 12 at 4 pm Audience Engagement Schedule B4PLAY · Saturday, September 14 at 11 am TALKBACK THURSDAY · September 26 AFTERPLAY · Following all

evening performances* VOCALEYE · Described performance

Sunday, October 6 at 2 pm * Except Opening Night and Talkback Thursday

How to buy tickets By telephone 250 385 6815

Please have your credit card ready, as well as the date and time of the performance you wish to attend.

Online

Visit belfry.bc.ca/tickets and buy your tickets online, anytime.

In person

Springtime in Chernobyl

by Emmanuel Lepage (2019) Losing Earth

by Nathaniel Rich (2019) Fractured: Tales of the Canadian post-Apocalypse; the Exile book of Anthology series Number Nine [ebook] published by Exile Editions (2014) Crisis without end: the medical and ecological consequences of the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe

by Helen Caldicott (editor) (2014) Behind the curve: science and the politics of global warming

by Joshua P Howe (2014) This borrowed earth: lessons from the fifteen worst environmental disasters around the world

My nuclear nightmare: leading Japan through the Fukushima disaster to a nuclear-free future

by Naoto Kan (2017) Strong in the rain: surviving Japan’s earthquake, tsunami, and Fukushima nuclear disaster

by Lucy Birmingham (2012) Fallout: disasters, lies, and the legacy of the nuclear age

by Fred Pearce (2018) Who’s sorry now?

by Howard Jacobson (2002) Sexual detours: infidelity and intimacy at the crossroads

by Holly Hein (2000) The state of affairs: rethinking infidelity

by Esther Perel (2017)

by Robert Emmet Hernan (2010)

To have and to hold: Motherhood, Marriage and

Blue Planet II: take a deep breath

the modern dilemma

[DVD] by James Honeyborne

by Molly Millwood, PhD (2019)

(2018)

Drop by our Box Office.

We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, debit card, cheques, and, of course, cash.

7

Up Next

October 29— November 24, 2019

Who gets to tell your story?

A benefit for the

Crush A Fine Wine Affair

Presented by

Sunday, October 20, 2019 5–8PM · Delta Ocean Pointe Resort

Tickets $95

Includes a partial tax receipt

250 385 6815 www.belfry.bc.ca/crush FINE WINE LIVE AUCTION

WINE TASTINGS

GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY PRODUCTION SPONSORS

THE CHILDREN SPONSORS

PUBLIC FUNDERS

Belfry Theatre 1291 GLADSTONE AVENUE VICTORIA, BC

V8T 1G5

SEASON SPONSORS

CUISINE PAIRINGS

TOM VICKERY TRIO