Slideshow image
Slideshow image
nav image
nav image

Reconciliation Theatre Society (R.T.S.) is excited to announce our current tour of mid-island indigenous nations has been extended to Victoria’s Langham Court Theatre, on traditional Songhees and Esquimalt territory. The Berlin Blues left audiences laughing from Qualicum to Quwutsun before its successful run on Snuneymuxw territory during May. RTS is excited to enter into a co-production with Langham Court Theatre to perform in Victoria from June 29 – July 2.

Drew Hayden Taylor’s cutting wit and insight into life on-reserve is the perfect compliment to Canada Day weekend. Drew Hayden Taylor’s knee-slapping comedy takes a hilarious look at life in a fictional Anishinaabe community when a German corporation comes to build a multi-million dollar indigenous-themed amusement park. The scheme promises Otter Lake financial self-sufficiency, but brings as many questions as it does opportunities for the residents of a rural reserve turned tourist attraction.

One of Turtle Island’s most prolific playwrights, Drew Hayden Taylor delivers comedy on a theme of economic development and cultural appropriation, and exposes Canadian audiences to “rez humour” from a distinctly indigenous perspective. Reconciliation’s Island tour follows an engagement with the First Nations Health Authority to share the script and our work at the FNHA Provincial Wellness Conference last fall. “RTS has indigenous talent telling indigenous stories written by indigenous playwrights. The obvious next step was to perform for indigenous audiences,” explained Artistic Director Tom Rokeby. “Initially we rehearsed a low-tech, yet fully staged, production of The Berlin Blues to make it work from band halls to recreation centers and health units.” The tour kicked off to a packed hall on the Qualicum First Nation, before making stops in Quwutsun (Duncan) and finally Snuneymuxw (Nanaimo), where Reconciliation Theatre society makes their home.

RTS is very grateful for the response to our first Island tour, and look forward to meeting Victoria audiences at Langham Court Theatre over the Canada Day weekend. “I am excited to think that we are building relations with people from Qualicum to Victoria that are eager to hear indigenous stories told by indigenous talent. This is just the beginning,” offered Society president and cast
member Dan Puglas. 

Tickets for the production June 29 - July 2 will be available through the Langham Court Theatre box office.

We welcome media inquiries and would be happy to book a time to meet. Tom Rokeby and Dan Puglas reconciliationtheatresociety@gmail.com 250 753 2191

Media links: