Western Gold Theatre presents at least one Mainstage Production and two On Our Feet (OOF!) Staged Readings per year.
Our Mainstage productions offer exciting, vibrant, and thought-provoking theatre starring some of the top seasoned theatre artists in Vancouver.
On Our Feet (OOF!) Stage Reading Series offers four performances of each play with all the hallmarks of a full production: intricate blocking, designed sets, costumes, and music. The only difference is that the actors carry their scripts. We meet Tuesday and open Friday; after 30 hours of rehearsal, we’re up and running!
Mainstage Production
Watch a one-minute trailer of Tom Crean – Discovering Antarctica!
Western Gold Theatre in association with Celtic Fest Vancouver presents the Play on Words Theatre production of
Tom Crean – Discovering Antarctica
Heroic Tales of Scott, Crean & Shackleton
Written & Performed by Aidan Dooley
November 7 – 24, 2024
PAL STUDIO THEATRE
PERFORMANCE TIMES
Matinees
November 7 (preview), 10, 14, 16, 17, 21, 23, 24
Evenings
November 8 (opening), 9, 13, 15, 20, 22
This production replaces the previously scheduled production of Alice in Wonderland: The Manhattan Project.*
Tom Crean, the intrepid Antarctic explorer and one of Ireland’s unsung heroes, is brought to life in this dramatic and humorous solo performance by Aidan Dooley.
Set during The Golden Age of Antarctic Exploration (1901-1916), discover the riveting stories of the only man who served standing alongside Scott and Shackleton in three of the most daring and challenging expeditions to the great white continent, including Shackleton’s ill-fated Endurance expedition.
. . . a remarkable and uplifting piece of theatre, gives everything and asks nothing. — Emer O’Kelly, Sunday Independent Dublin
A banquet for the ears. Words create adventure that’s just as vivid as the special effects in a Hollywood Bonanza. — Variety
An Unparalleled portrayal. It isn’t the destination; it is the journey. Mr. Dooley’s effort so vividly embodies that maxim you almost believe it. — The New York Times
* If you booked tickets for a performance of Alice in Wonderland, they will be transferred to the corresponding performance of Tom Crean – Discovering Antarctica. If you have tickets for a performance that is not on the newly revised performance schedule, our Box Office will contact you to ensure you are moved to a performance time of your choice.
Thanks so much for your understanding and flexibility. We can’t wait to see you in the house!
Please contact us with any questions or concerns
[email protected]
604-363-5734
Have a Senior Moment Festival 2024
In partnership with Full Circle: First Nations Performance and
Curious Cats Theatre Collective
October 17, 18, 19, 20 2024
PAL STUDIO THEATRE
581 Cardero Street, Vancouver B.C
TICKETS
$15/play reading or $35 All Events Package plus a number of events by donation.
Please join us for our second annual Have a Senior Moment Festival! We have four days chock–a-block full of exciting events!
- Explore and hear for the first time two new Canadian plays* by BC theatre makers Oliva Etey and Simon Webb, read by a wonderful array of Vancouver’s best older actors.
- Come and be amongst the lucky few to witness Cree-Saulteaux Metis performing artist Margo Kane sharing her new work in development.
- Join Chief Ian Campbell (Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish)) on a guided bus tour of Xway-Xway (Stanley Park) as he relates tales of the land and those that came before us.
- Shake it on the dance floor with DJ Staniml and gather for the festival closing Scripts and Spirits, including cold-cast script readings and an open mic Jamboree.
- Plus: creative workshops, informal gatherings, and the ever-important opportunity to feast together.
*The two plays were chosen via a call for submission and with the support of an adjudicator who did not know the name/gender of playwrights to allow for an unbiased decision. Each playwright gets a four-hour workshop of their play with professional actors, a public reading at PAL Studio Theatre, and a digital recording of the event.
Artistic Director Tanja Dixon-Warren says:
I wanted to turn the notion of “have a senior moment” (normally understood as a moment of forgetfulness, a foolish mistake, or a lack of understanding based on age) on its head! I wanted to change the perception of seniors “having a moment” and reclaim the term to mean a moment showing older adults living their lives in richness, fullness, and in relationship with their communities and environments. I wanted to do this by giving senior artists “a moment” and by encouraging the voices of senior artists who, with so much life experience, are daring to be bold and are creating from their hearts! I am thrilled that Have a Senior Moment Festival is back for a 2nd year celebrating the Western Gold Theatre tagline: Creativity has no Expiry Date!
FESTIVAL LINEUP
Thursday, October 17 at 7:30 PM
READING #1 – Waiting for Them
By Simon Webb
Two old friends, rehearsing Waiting for Godot, wait for the Director.
Read by Tom McBeath, Richard Newman, Rosy Frier-Dryden
$15 or included in Festival Pass
Friday, October 18, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
CEDAR BRACELET MAKING WORKSHOP
With Leonard “Tiger” Williams
Presented by Talking Stick Festival
Join Leonard “Tiger” WIlliams, a master cedar weaver and member of the Quatsino First Nation, for a hands-on workshop designed to foster deeper understanding and appreciation of First Nations culture through the art of traditional cedar weaving. With over 20 years experience, Leonard brings knowledge passed down through generations to guide participants in creating their own cedar pieces while learning about the cultural significance and ecological practices tied to this ancient art form. This workshop is open to all and encourages cultural appreciation and awareness.
Admission by donation: Suggested donation $10 – $20 | Limited spots available – Reserve your spot here
Friday, October 18 at 7:30PM
READING #2 – Woman Against Gravity*
By Olivia Etey
Original Dramaturgy by Tamara McCarthy
Armed with her motto: “Suck life dry!” and her late husband’s words: “You have energy and only one life—so use it!” Tessa launches herself into the world of seniors’ online dating. This is the story of one woman’s fierce battle against gravity, as she seeks to master the art of living in the moment. Can Tessa find someone to savour “the present” with her?
Read by Jennifer Higgin, Eileen Barrett, Tom McBeath, Rosy Frier-Dryden
$15 or included in Festival Pass
*Woman Against Gravity received professional development through the Emerging Voices Program at TheatreOne (2024) and the Stage One Festival of New Canadian Work (2021) at the Lunchbox Theatre in Calgary, AB. The play was also developed during the Arts Club LEAP program in 2018.
Saturday, October 19 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM
CANCELLED DUE TO STORM: STANLEY PARK BUS TOUR
Presented by Talking Stick Festival
Saturday, October 19 at 7:30 PM
A NEW WORK BY MARGO KANE
Presented by Talking Stick Festival
Legendary Cree-Saulteaux Metis performing artist Margo Kane, renowned for her contributions to Indigenous performance, returns to the stage with a new work in development. Drawing from her acclaimed storytelling legacy, including Reflections in the Medicine Wheel, Moonlodge, Confessions of an Indian Cowboy and her iconic Kokum character associated with the Talking Stick Festival Gala, Margo stands with all her relations, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, as she questions an important transition in her Life, in our Lives . . . . What territories did we traverse in this Life? What has led us to this place? Where do we go from Here? Where are we standing? What are we standing for? Why stand? Why not SIT! Reflect, consider, muse, and sometimes chuckle with this consummate storyteller!
$15 or included in Festival Pass
DANCE PAR-TAY with DJ STANIML
Presented by Talking Stick Festival
Get yer groove on! Stick around after the show and cut a rug with DJ Staniml! Or simply kick back, gather with friends, and enjoy the party while listening to some great tunes! The evening includes a feast and fire on the rooftop patio.
Included in Festival Pass or purchase of ticket for Saturday Evening Programming, or Admission by Donation at the door.
Sunday, October 20, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
ART AND MINDFULNESS WORKSHOP
With Jessie Au
For anyone who wishes to create art while focusing on their breath and mindfulness, this workshop guided by Jessie Au will encourage participants to connect to their creativity while being aware of their relationship with themselves and others in the space. The craft may include the use of paint, so bring clothes you don’t mind getting slightly dirty. Everyone will have a beautiful creation to take home at the end of the workshop.
Admission by donation: Suggested donation $10 – $20 | Limited spots available – Reserve your spot here
Sunday, October 20 at 2:00 PM
SCRIPTS AND SPIRITS
Presented in partnership with Curious Cats Theatre Collective
Please join us for our closing party! Raise a glass, hang with friends, jump in and read a script cold, or “have a senior moment” of your own during our Open Mic Jamboree!
2:00 PM Cold Casting
2:30 PM Script Readings
4:00 PM Open Mic Jamboree
Admission by donation | Reserve your spot here
Creativity has no expiry date! ™
Contact Us
Phone: 604-363-5734
Email: [email protected]
Mailing Address:
PO Box 93513,
Vancouver RPO Nelson Park, BC V6E 4L7
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Supported By
The McGrane-Pearson Endowment Fund,
held at Vancouver Foundation
Stewart Fund,
held at Vancouver Foundation
McLean Foundation
Community Partners
We gratefully acknowledge that we are on the traditional and unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam),Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations. We deeply thank them for so generously allowing us to live, work, and play on their beautiful lands.
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