Chemainus Theatre Festival
Welcome to 30! Thirty seasons of inspiring musicals bouncing off the walls, comedies running here and there, dramas diving into depths of the heart and all kinds of Canadian confections. Thirty seasons of artistic exploration and discovery with dedicated folks across Vancouver Island – and beyond. For thirty years, family and friends have joined the Chemainus Theatre Festival, where they have experienced fine dining, theatre, and art from across BC, all under one beautiful dome in a little seaside town called Chemainus.
The 2024 season starts with an award-winning Canadian curling comedy sweeping the country, written by playwright Kristen Da Silva. Canada's most-produced playwright, Norm Foster, has called her "one of the brightest new comedic playwrights in all of Canada." Up next is the delightful fourth Jeeves installment of Wodehouse's tales, a thrilling ride from beginning to end, with just the right dose of humor and intrigue. Then we'll swing into summer with Dolly Parton's hilarious comedy 9 to 5 The Musical, sharing the outrageous story based on the seminal 1980 hit movie about friendships and revenge in the Rolodex era, and giving the boss the boot! The fall features The Piano Teacher, a Governor General's awardwinning play about loss, love, friendship, and the healing power of music, from a Vancouver Island local and Chemainus Theatre alum. The season finishes with a classic imagining of Jane Austen's characters, a sequel to Pride and Prejudice set at Christmas two years after the novel ends.
Along with great stories on stage, enjoy fine dining in the Playbill Dining Room and creations from over 100 BC artisans in the Gallery Gift Shop. Make your visit a perfect getaway with a wonderful night's stay in a well-appointed suite-style hotel room at the award-winning Best Western Plus Chemainus Inn. As a non-profit society, we exist to serve Vancouver Island and its visitors by creating exceptional theatre that explores and nourishes truth, hope, redemption, love and the human spirit. Whether you are discovering the Chemainus Theatre Festival for the first time or have been coming for years – welcome to 30 years of live professional Theatre on Vancouver Island!