Stepping back from the brink of disaster, The Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre has returned with an exciting season of theatrical offerings for Victoria audiences.
The theatre was nearly lost when, in December of last year, mounting costs forced them to leave the Roxy Theatre and begin to sell off inventory to meet what had become a crushing debt load.
But in March, at the theatre's AGM, a new board of directors came forward to save what had become a much beloved theatrical institution in Victoria.
Heading up the rescue was Brian Richmond, the original founder of the company and the man who served as its artistic director from 2008 to 2022.
“I have great affection for the company, and I believe that it’s been a star in the theatre community with the quality of the plays it’s presented over the years,” Richmond said. “Our job now is to clear the deck so that we can proceed while satisfying both our creditors and the more than 300 ticket buyers who deserve to experience great theatre. I think that we’ve accomplished both goals now.”
The three-play season Blue Bridge has recently announced starts with Kenneth Grahame’s Wind In The Willows.
The show will take place on the outdoor patio beside the pond at the University Club at UVic on August 16 at 6 pm and August 17 at 2 pm and 6 pm and will feature several members of Blue Bridge’s renowned acting ensemble under the direction of Richmond.
And if there’s rain?
“Not to worry”, said Richmond. “The performances will simply move inside to the warmth and comfort of the club’s main dining room.”
The second play is another classic with a distinctly different tone. It’s Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow in a new adaptation by Andrew Bailey.
The play will be presented at the David Foster Foundation Theatre at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel where audiences will be thrilled by this re-telling of the tale of the ‘headless horseman’ as they enjoy the ambience and services of this world-class hotel. Shows will happen on Nov. 1 at 8 pm, Nov. 2 at 2 pm & 8 pm and Nov. 3 at 2 pm.
Finally, Blue Bridge will close out the year with a revival of a Christmas Classic when it presents The Shop Around The Corner.
Inspired by both the 1940’s film starring Jimmy Stewart and Maureen O’Hara and the original play by Hungarian playwright Miklos Laszlo, this offering will place at one of the beautifully appointed Phoenix Theatres at UVic on December 13 at 8 pm, December 14 at 2 pm & 8 pm and December 15 at 2 pm.
The whirlwind effort by the newly elected Board of Directors is a distinct shift from the shows formerly presented at the Roxy, but Richmond is optimistic about the company’s direction.
“We believe that we not only have selected three fabulous plays but three venues that will be well worth the wait,” said the chair of the society’s artistic committee Mercedes Batiz-Benet.
Given that Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre has concluded 15 critically acclaimed seasons with more than 70 multi-award-winning productions, the salvation of the company is great news for the Island’s theatre lovers.
“I believe strongly in the important role that theatre plays in society,” said Richmond. “Theatre is a love, not a business and the people of Victoria deserve to have us out there giving them the best that theatre has to offer.
