The adaptation of a best-selling series of novels from the early 1990s by Victoria author Nick Bantock inspired Michael Shamata and The Belfry Theatre to tackle a stage version of Griffin and Sabine.
The story of two souls seeking the courage and the means to unite, told largely through the writing of letters and postcards – the subtitle for the first book is “An Extraordinary Correspondence” – is the underpinning for this offering, which runs Dec. 4 to 23 in Fernwood.
“The remarkable Nick Bantock lives in our community, and his enchanting story – together with his breathtaking artwork – were a part of my history,” writes Shamata, the Belfry’s artistic director and the director of this production. “The chance to put these characters and images onstage is delicious and irresistible.”
Here’s an overview: Griffin Moss (played by Matthew Edison) is a lonely artist in London, who makes postcards for a living. His life is changed forever when he receives a cryptic postcard from Sabine Strohem (Yoshié Bancroft), a woman he has never met. She is an artist who illustrates postage stamps and lives in the South Pacific. Through their correspondence the two begin their unlikely romance.
Bantock, who worked with Shamata on the adaptation of the books for live theatre, also uses elements of mythology, modern philosophy and Jungian psychology to tell the long-distance lovers’ story.
For tickets and showtimes, visit tickets.belfry.bc.ca or call 250-385-6815. A special Vocal Eye option for patrons who are blind or partially sighted is available Sunday, Dec. 16. A trained expert will be on hand to describe visual details before the show, and relay physical details during the performance via a headset and radio. Call the number above to reserve a headset.
c.vanreeuwyk@blackpress.ca
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