The Vault
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.
THE TROLL GRANDFATHER | 2018-2022
Summary
Trolls, dragons, and a 9-year-old? Oh my! Our young heroine, Sandy Nardini, is less than pleased to be staying with their estranged Grandpa for the summer. His house is so boring! There is nothing fun to do with old, odd Gren Nardini while he eats chicken bones and drinks dirt tea. Sandy knows their mother’s health issues are the reason for the visit but Grandpa doesn’t know anything about it. Until one night, Sandy discovers a secret that everyone has been hiding – Grandpa’s a Troll! After sharing the millennia of their Troll family history, the pair set out on a quest to claim Sandy’s magical birthright, a blessing that could save their mother’s life. Witness Sandy’s bravery as they connect to a part of their identity they never knew existed and unites their family in the process.
Written by Clem Martini
Directed and Dramaturged by Chris McGregor
Set, Costume, and Props Design by Jessica Oostergo
Puppet (Sparky) Design and build by Dusty Hagerud
Original Music and Sound by Patrick Boudreau
Ali Watson, Thomas Jones, Valeria Ascolese, Tanner Zerr, Holly Collis-Handford, Sarah May Redmond
Photos by Cassandra Bourchier
FROG BELLY RAT BONE | 2022-2024
Frog Belly Rat Bone 1-2-3, you must be patient then you will see!
Incorporating beautifully handcrafted puppets and an original pop/rock musical score, Cementland comes to life as two enigmatic garbage collectors tell the story of a very special boy whose singular wish is to find a TREASURE!
One day, the boy discovers a rusty tin box packed with colorful envelopes and an old wrinkled note: "Put my wondrous riches into the earth and enjoy." So the boy opens the envelope and tosses the contents - "hundreds of tiny gray specks" - onto the ground. Nothing happens! But night will come and the specks must be protected from junkyard thieves so the boy invents a guard… "he gathers wet smelly socks, moldy old pillow stuffing and scraggly wire bringing his creation, Frog Belly Rat Bone, to life.”
Frog Belly isn’t the sharpest, or the quietest, but it works. In time, Cementland blooms with beautiful flowers and delicious vegetables, and the junk pile of dark grays yields to an explosion of colour. With some strategy, strong communication, a lot of patience and goodwill, we can all grow wondrous riches, transforming dark surroundings into something beautiful.
CREATIVE TEAM
Book by Timothy Basil Ering
Adapted by Chris McGregor
Set Design by Amy Harris
Puppet Design by Dusty Hagerüd
Music & Lyrics by Erik Gow
Musical Arrangements by Antony Knight
Choreography by Steffanie Davis and Paige Fraser /Oliver Castillo and Jyla Robinson
Photos by Pink Monkey Studio
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.
DON QUIXOTE | 2011 - 2012
Arts Club Theatre Production 2011 & 2012 Tour
Centaur Theatre Production 2011
Created by Peter Anderson and Colin Heath.
KING ARTHUR’S KITCHEN | 2008 - 2011
THE EMPEROR’S NEW THREADS | 2006 - 2009
DRIFTWOOD | 2006 - 2007
BROCCOLI & BUTTERFLIES | 2003 - 2004
LAB ANTICS | 2003 - 2004
FLYING BLIND | 2001
ROBINSON CRUSOE | 2000
TROLLDOM | 1997
DISPOSING OF THE DEAD | 1996
NOT JUST JUNK | 1992 - 1993 | IDENTICAL ISLANDS | 1988
A COMIX TALE | 1990
SYNTHETIC ENERGY | 1986 - 1987
PETER & THE WOLF | 1983 - 1984
FOOL’S ANGEL | 1982 - 1983
QUICK CHANGES | 1979 - 1980
HOTSY TOTSY | 1979
B.C. DAYS | 1978 - 1979
HUGO’S DREAM | 1977 - 1979
CREATIVE TEAM
Hugo Deborah Maizels
Teacher Elizabeth Murray-Byers
Custodian Gordon White
Principal Charles Schott
Set Design Brian Byers
Set Construction Jim Rankin
Co-artistic Director Wayne Specht
Co-artistic Director Elizabeth Murray-Byers
Secretary & Tour Coordinator Carolyn Diakun
Bookkeeper Ellen Specht
