Over 46 years of physical theatre!

Since our first show, The Tinder Box, Axis has created over 60 original productions, many of which have stayed in our repertoire for two to five years and performed between 300–500 times while touring all over BC, across Canada and sometimes Internationally! These are just a few of the original plays we've created and toured in Axis’ history.

JUGGLE ME NOT | July - August 2021

JUGGLE ME NOT is a commedia dell’arte show inspired by the tale of The Little Juggler. A plague-ridden troupe travels from town to town in search of mirth, love and sometimes even lost members. To escape the malocchio, a curse from his dead wife, Chef Pulcinella must marry off his only daughter, Isabella. A slew of suitors will compete to win her hand, her inheritance and a slightly used Vitamix, but Isabella has plans of her own. Bursting with lazzos, live music and dancing, this performance, featuring larger than life characters in masks created by Gina Bastone, embraces how the best gifts we possess are not always those we can hold in our hands.

Wandering Wagon Theatre is a newly founded commedia dell’arte troupe under the creative guidance of Susan Bertoia and presented by Axis Theatre. Wandering Wagon creates devised theatre through mask work, improvisation, movement, clown, and music.

Writer & Director Susan Bertoia
Designer Heather Kent
Stage Manager Cassandra Bourchier
Cast Holly Collis Handford, Brittany Cope, Karthik Kadam, Damion LeClair,
Conor Meadows, and Erin Purghart

Photos taken by Shots by Sakaki (Jason Sakaki).

How did Wandering Wagon Theatre come about?

Wandering Wagon Theatre was created through Axis Theatre Company’s inaugural “Commedia in the Park” Program.

The “Commedia in the Park” (CITP) program has been created to give young theatre artists and administrators a stepping stone to build their careers in the theatre sector. CITP was created with the support of Canada Summer jobs.

CITP is a program in two parts: administrative training combined with play creation and performance experience. Over 8 weeks, Axis Theatre staff work with participants to teach them the skills needed to set up and run their own theatre company and help devise an original commedia dell’arte piece. Participants spend half days in a mentorship setting, and the other half in the creation and rehearsal process guided by independent Deviser/Director, Susan Bertoia. The goal is to establish a “micro company”, and a live performance to tour outdoor venues in Greater Vancouver during the summer of 2021. Together, participants will be required to plan all aspects of the project and carry out the final creation.

2021 Participants

ALL MY FRIENDS ARE ANIMALS | September 2018

Co-production by Babelle Theatre and Axis Theatre Company.

When a bear wanders from the mountains into the city, natural boundaries are blurred and a perplexed teenager named Jo struggles to makes her way home. On her adventures, she crosses paths with coyotes, raccoons, and mice, and learns the importance of trusting her instincts. Loosely based on the real-life story of a bear that entered downtown Vancouver in the Winter of 2011, ALL MY FRIENDS ARE ANIMALS is about the extraordinary nature of these encounters and the primal feelings they awaken.

Photos by Gaëtan Nerincx. Featuring Tyrone Savage, Caitlin McFarlane, Sabrina Vellani and Meaghan Chenosky.

Co-created by Marie Farsi + James Gordon King
Production Design by Jessica Oostergo Puppets by Jeny Cassady
Lighting Design by Mimi Abrahams
Sound Design by Patrick Boudreau

ROBINSON CRUSOE + FRIDAY | September 2016 - December 2018

An English sailor, shipwrecked on an unknown island off the coast of Trinidad, works against all odds to survive, alone. Every day he climbs the same rock and looks through his spyglass, hoping for a sign of civilization. After twenty-five years, his wish comes true! He sees someone in trouble and rushes in to save them. Meet Friday. The two embark on a path towards friendship and cultural acceptance, despite some comedic miscommunication. Set sail with ROBINSON CRUSOE + FRIDAY on an adventure story full of history and heart!

Photos by Steven MacGillvary and Tim Matheson. Featuring Sarah Roa as Friday and Sean Patrick Sonier as Robinson Crusoe.

Written by Colin Heath
2017 Jessie Richardson Award Nomination for Outstanding Performance by William Ford Hopkins

HAMELIN: A NEW FABLE | January 2015 - April 2017

In 13th century Germany, Medieval Hamelin Town is way too big for its lederhosen! Governed by a spoiled Mayor, his Mommy and stuffy corporate types who have no interest in its hard-working townsfolk, the town is primed to learn some important lessons in life from our heroes, 10-year-old twins Celeste and Ralph. When it seems that no one other than their Opa Johannes ever keeps their word, the twins come up with a plan to make the grown-ups wake up and smell the strudel. After the ridiculous new taxes render this tight-knit family homeless and desperate for help, they encounter a hapless “Minstrel,” a flute that has seen better days and of course, lots and lots of rats! Full of comedic twists and live music, this high-energy, original adaptation of the Pied Piper of Hamelin fable is a delight for audiences of all ages.

Photography by Shizuka Kai. Featuring Andrew Cohen, Alexander Nicoll, Andrew Wade, Anna Kuman, Christopher Adams and Erik Gow.

Created by Leslie Mildiner
Composed by Bob Buckley Winner of a 2015 Jessie Richardson Award for Design Concept and Execution.

RAVEN MEETS THE MONKEY KING | 2012 - 2016 Toured British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Photography by Emily Cooper - Performers Nyla Carpentier, Aaron Lau & Ella Simon.

RIP! A WINKLE IN TIME | May 2014 Waterfront Theatre

Photography by Pink Monkey Studios - Performers Stefano Giulianetti, Tara Travis, and Simon Webb.

THE NUMBER 14 | 1992 - 2012 11 Countries - over 1,500 performances in a 20 year lifespan

Original Creators: Axis Theatre Company and Touchstone Theatre with Roy Surette, Wayne Specht, Colin Heath, Peter Anderson, Gina Bastone, David Mackay, Beatrice Zeilinger and Melody Anderson.