YOUR FEATURE
The LittleTheatre That Could DANIEL PALMER
N
estled cosily beside a brick-laid pathway in Victoria’s Fernwood Square sits one of Canada’s greatest little theatre companies.
For the past 30 years, the 279-seat Belfry Theatre has been showcasing predominantly Canadian works that have gone on to acclaim across Canada, in the U.S., Australia, Europe and London’s West End. But ask the Belfry’s Artistic Director, Michael Shamata, what motivates him year after year to curate such curious and thought-provoking content within the heritage building, and his answer is forthcoming.
development, professional development workshops, and more recently, programs for young people, emerging artists, and an Indigenous Learning Exchange Program. “The Belfry started out as an alternate to the Bastion [now the MacPherson Playhouse],” Shamata said. “When the Bastion folded its tent, we maintained our mandate as an alternate but took on a lot of those activities more associated with regional theatres, larger companies. So we’ve stepped up and become regional in an alternate space.”
“The relationship with the audience, no question, is the best part of being here,” he said.
This clear mandate, combined with its regional theatre program offering, is part of the success of the Belfry, and part of what Shamata believes intersects well with a deep appreciation of the former Baptist church’s heritage status.
Shamata, a Toronto native who cut his teeth at companies across Canada, found a home at the Belfry a decade ago. He was attracted by the Belfry’s mandate of producing contemporary Canadian — mostly B.C. — plays, and its willingness to take on roles not normally associated with an alternate theatre company: being a resource for the community, play
“This building is pretty unique across Canada,” he said. “There’s also an amazing affection for this building that’s separate from the work we do onstage. People love it, are really proud of the modern renovation we completed last year to the lobby. Our audience feels a sense of pride in the structure itself.”
8 YOUR HOLIDAY 2018
