Belfry Theatre will welcome a new theatrical event this summer with the launch of the Great Works Theatre Festival, a collaboration between Puente Theatre and Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre.
Planned as a three-year partnership, the festival aims to grow into a major event, solidifying Victoria’s place in the North American arts and culture scene.
Mercedes Batiz-Benet of Puente Theatre and Brian Richmond of Blue Bridge are leading the festival’s development, bridging the past and present of theatre with two bold adaptations of classic works.
Running from July 29 to Aug. 10, the inaugural season will feature an ensemble of 10 Victoria-based actors performing two productions: a new adaptation of Federico García Lorca’s Blood Wedding, directed by Batiz-Benet, alongside La Bete, adapted by Richmond
Belfry Theatre will host two shows daily, alternating between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. performances.
Blood Wedding is a gripping tragedy that delves into passion, fate, betrayal, and tradition. Written by Lorca in 1932 during the Spanish Civil War, the play reflects on the forces that shape human destiny. Batiz-Benet’s adaptation aims to preserve the essence of the original work while offering a fresh perspective.
"We are living in a time where history is repeating itself – where division, fear, and violence are once again shaping the world," Batiz-Benet said. "This play is not just a tragedy of doomed lovers; it is a warning. It forces us to confront the consequences of our fears, our prejudices, and our inability to break free from cycles of hatred. If we do not learn from the past, we are doomed to relive it."
La Bete, a 1991 comedy written in rhymed couplets as an homage to Moliere, is set in 17th-century France. It follows a single evening in which Elomire, the esteemed head of a royal court-sponsored theatre troupe, is forced by his patron to host a street performer.
"This is truly a play for our time," Richmond said. "As we struggle with our disbelief that our world can be so quickly and radically transformed. We all need to find the way to break the thrall brought on by the violence of ego. Hirson's hilarious and brilliant play offers us such a cure – if only for an evening."
While the two productions differ in tone, Batiz-Benet highlighted their shared commitment to elevating underrepresented voices in theatre.
"We are committed to providing newcomer artists and underrepresented voices with opportunities that allow them to flourish," she said. "The festival will provide a level of artistic opportunity that is often out of reach for these artists, and I am thrilled to be part of a venture that ensures their work is seen and celebrated."
Further details on the festival’s productions, creative teams, and personnel will be announced in the coming months.
