Belfry Theatre opens their 50th Anniversary Season with Michael Healey’s sharp political satire, 1979.
“funny, literate and highly entertaining” —Macleans Magazine
Hello!
Welcome back to the Belfry and a whopper of a comedy, 1979 by Michael Healey.
We have done a few of Michael’s plays in the past: The Drawer Boy in 2001 and Proud in 2014.
1979 is a hilarious look at ethics in politics. December 13, 1979: the day of the parliamentary vote on Joe Clark’s austerity budget. It’s almost certain to bring down his government. A parade of politicians, including Pierre Trudeau, John Crosbie, and Flora Macdonald—try to offer advice—but honest hapless Joe is determined to stick to his principles—even if it means triggering an election he’s bound to lose.
We have some old friends returning to the stage, too. Jay Hindle, fresh out of the Phoenix Theatre at UVic, starred in Proof (2003). Luisa Jojic starred in our premiere of Little Red Warrior and His Lawyer (2022) and has been touring the show around Canada for the past three years. Nathan Howe, who will play Joe Clark, starred in Salt Baby (2018), 4000 Miles (2019), and 1939 (2024).
As always, we look forward to seeing you at the theatre.
Land Acknowledgement
The Belfry Theatre is on the land of the People, known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations. The people have been keepers of this land for millennia and we offer them our respect and gratitude for our presence on this territory.
B4 Play
Join Us instagram.com/belfrytheatre facebook.com/belfrytheatre vimeo.com/belfrytheatre twitter.com/belfrytheatre (In-person + Online)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 AT 11 AM
BMO Studio Theatre, 1291 Gladstone Avenue
Our live talk show hosted by CBC Radio’s Gregor Craigie and featuring artists from the upcoming show, along with experts from the community, has been designed to provide insight into each Mainstage production.
Each event is held the Saturday before Opening, is free to attend, live-streamed on Facebook, and is available as a podcast on our website.
B4Play is ASL Interpreted. To reserve free tickets, please call our Box Office at 250-385-6815.
WWW.BELFRY.BC.CA 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.
BELFRY THEATRE 1291 GLADSTONE AVENUE
VICTORIA, BC V8T 1G5
1979 is generously supported by
Tickets 250-385-6815 / tix.belfry.bc.ca
Upstage is supported by
Michael Shamata and Gregor Craigie
Photo by Don Craig
Michael Healey on Joe Clark
We asked Michael Healey a few questions about his comedy, 1979, and why the Conservative Party fascinates him.
Joe Clark? Why?
His premiership is such an interesting historical hinge point. If he had managed to survive as PM, Trudeau might have actually retired. Then it would have fallen to Clark to lead the No side in the ‘82 referendum. Who knows how that might have turned out.
Also, had he been successful Mulroney might have stayed in the private sector. Mulroney’s premiership led to the creation of the modern CPC under Harper, the last truly radical thing that’s happened in our federal politics.
Clark is also interesting to me as an example of personal principle and integrity getting in the way of succeeding in politics, which is a favourite subject of mine for comedy.
You wrote Proud (Belfry 2014) about Stephen Harper. Why does the Conservative Party fascinate you?
The struggle to create a centre-right party in a centre-left country is interesting (to me). Manning and Harper had to catalyze resentment, break the existing PC movement and then re-form. After all that, they had to finally decide on policy. This is radical, it’s backwards, and all happened essentially pre-internet.
The other answer is that I find Harper, as a strategist, a charisma-free campaigner, and a psychological black hole interesting.
Have you met any of the politicians you’ve written about? Did they give you feedback?
No. I’d love to interview Harper someday.
Photo – Michael Healey
Why are Brown Corduroy or Tan suits a no-no for politicians?
These are, self-evidently, beta colours.
Which of Canada’s past Prime Ministers would have been best suited to deal with the current U.S. President—?
Well, no one would charm him better than Mulroney, I bet. But no one can deal with a moral void with all the available power. Maybe Mackenzie King would at least meet crazy with crazy.
How do you think Joe Clark will be remembered by history—?
He had such a long career post premiership as a statesman and academic, and these are what he’ll be remembered for. His basic decency will be remembered as his greatest virtue and largest political flaw.
How do you think he should be remembered—?
As a cautionary figure for those aspiring to political office.
Anything else you would like to add?
Do you have Stephen Harper’s number?
Why I Chose This Play
Cast & Creatives
I’ve actually chosen it twice—! Once when it was a relatively new comedy—and being a comedy with brains, it was a great choice for this audience. However, it fell victim to the pandemic, just before rehearsals began.
This time I chose it because rumour had it that Trudeau was going to call an election in the Fall of 2025. When events conspired to bring about a Spring election, I was initially disappointed. However, given the near dictatorship to the south, there could hardly be a better time for contemplating the value of morals in government.
–Michael Shamata.
Luisa Jojic ACTOR B
Nathan Howe JOE CLARK Jay Hindle ACTOR A
Glynis Leyshon DIRECTOR
Pam Johnson SET DESIGNER
Michael Healey PLAYWRIGHT
Charlotte Dean COSTUME DESIGNER
Carole Klemm ASSOCIATE SET DESIGNER
Kevin Lamotte LIGHTING DESIGNER
Keith Houghton PROJECTION DESIGNER
Tobin Stokes COMPOSER AND SOUND DESIGNER
Katerina Sokyrko STAGE MANAGER
Hannah Abbey APPRENTICE STAGE MANAGER
LIVE & VIRTUAL EVENTS
Our round-up of events happening at the theatre over the next four weeks.
B4PLAY (IN-PERSON + ONLINE)
BMO Studio, 1291 Gladstone Avenue
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 AT 11 AM
Our live talk show hosted by CBC Radio’s Gregor Craigie and featuring artists from the upcoming show, along with experts from the community, has been designed to provide insight into each Mainstage production.
Each event is held the Saturday before Opening, is free to attend, live-streamed on Facebook, and is available as a podcast on our website.
B4Play is ASL Interpreted. To reserve free tickets, please call our Box Office at 250-385-6815.
TALKBACK THURSDAY
SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 FOLLOWING THE PERFORMANCE.
Following the third Thursday performance of each show, actors return to the stage to answer your questions and provide insight into the play you have just experienced. These Q & A sessions last approximately 20 minutes.
VOCALEYE
SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 AT 2 PM (IN-PERSON EVENT WITH TOUCH TOUR & SOCIAL AFTER)
For patrons with low or no vision, we offer one VocalEye performance during most Mainstage productions. Trained Audio Describers provide descriptions of the visual elements of the show, allowing people with low vision to enjoy the theatrical experience without missing any of the details. More information at the Box Office250-385-6815.
Belfry Librarian
This selection of books inspired by the Belfry Theatre’s Fall 2025 production of Michael Healey’s 1979 includes titles about ethics, Canadian politics and some of Canada’s prominent politicians of the late 1970s.
Ethics: a Very Short Introduction by Simon Blackburn
Canada’s Prime Ministers and the Shaping of a National Identity by Raymond Benjamin Blake
How We Lead: Canada in a Century of Change, by Joe Clark
Statesmen, Strategists, and Diplomats: Canada’s Prime Ministers and the Making of Foreign Policy by Patrice A. Dutil
A Leader Must be a Leader: Encounters with Eleven Prime Ministers by Jerry S. Grafstein
Honest Politics Now: What Ethical Conduct Means in Canadian Public Life by Ian Greene
Power, Prime Ministers, and the Press: The Battle for Truth on Parliament Hill by Robert Lewis
Flora! A Woman in a Man’s World by Flora MacDonald
Trudeau as Statesman: 19652000, Son of Quebec, Father of Canada by Max Nemni
Being Prime Minister by J.D.M. Stewart
Did you love it? Let us know. Like us on Facebook at greatervictoriapubliclibrary and follow us on Twitter at gvpl.
Looking Back at 50 years at the Theatre.
As we kick off our 50th Anniversary season, we would love to hear your favourite memories of the Belfry from the past half-century. Here are a few personal anecdotes from some of our longtime supporters, as told to Susan Stevenson, Director of Development:
My memories of the building begin with attending Emmanuel Baptist Church and pastor Norman Archer’s terrific sermons in the early seventies. It is the one-person shows at the Belfry that stay with me including the play Einstein by Gabriel Emanuel (1986-87 Season). The actor wore a signature brown leather jacket, and shoes with no socks and was just riveting. I can also remember how exciting it was when the Belfry re-opened with its very own lobby for the first time. (The Belfry bought the building from its landlord, the Cool Aid Society, in 1989.)
—Deanna Hutchings
My first memory of this beloved building goes back to before the theatre company moved in, when I was a patient of Eugene Kaellis, who had a dental clinic in what are now the offices adjacent to the Belfry Lobby.
Mesa (from the 2006/07 Season), a play by Doug Curtis about a car journey from Alberta to Arizona including hilarious scenarios about a passenger in his nineties who is very set in his ways, remains one of my favourite plays I have seen at the Belfry over the years.
—Ronald Polstein
I have introduced no less than three husbands to regular attendance at the Belfry over the course of the theatre’s history. It was after watching The Number 14 by Axis Mime Theatre that husband number two became a stalwart yearly subscriber. He was bowled over with the talent and the hilarity. I have also subscribed with friends, which has helped me maintain friendships and social connections.
—Anonymous Supporter
My husband and I have loved many of the Belfry plays we have seen over our past three decades as season ticket holders. However, my most memorable experience at the Belfry actually occurred offstage one night. I was attending a Wingfield series play when I began experiencing the early signs of labour during Rod Beattie’s performance. My daughter was born in the wee hours the next morning of January 11, 1997.
—Brenda Henderson
If you would like to share a favourite memory, or to tell us what the Belfry means to you in 50 words, please send it to hello@belfry.bc.ca
For information on supporting the Belfry, please contact Susan Stevenson, Director of Development at susan.stevenson@belfry. bc.ca or 250-385-6835 ext. 229
Tickets 250-385-6815 / tix.belfry.bc.ca
The Number 14 / Conceived and written by Melody Anderson, Peter Anderson, Gina Bastone, Colin Heath, David Mackay, Wayne Specht, Roy Surette, and Beatrice Zeilinger.
1979
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
September 9 – October 5, 2025
Tuesdays – Thursdays at 7:30 pm
Friday & Saturdays at 8 pm
Wednesday Matinees at 1 pm (September 17, 24 and October 1)
Saturday Matinees at 4 pm
Sunday Matinees at 2 pm
Audience Engagement Schedule
B4PLAY (In-person + Online)
Saturday, September 6 at 11 am
TALKBACK THURSDAY (In Person)
Thursday, September 25 following the performance.
VOCALEYE
Sunday, September 28 at 2 pm (in-person event with Touch Tour & Social after)
