welcome

FEBRUARY 2026 | VOLUME 260

JAN 26-FEB 8

KEEP SANE: GO SEE A PLAY

Theatre provides so many great lines that cut through to life’s truths. One of my go-to’s is from Irish playwright Sean O’Casey’s Juno and the Paycock (1924), a refrain from a character who mispronounces the key word: “The world’s in a terrible state o’ chassis.” Indeed it is, especially due to the chaos caused by the unspeakable Trump, his doubles like Putin, his slimy, lying, murderous minions and their jackbooted fascist enforcers. It’s hard not to doomscroll, even harder to pull your eyes away from the news that gets grimmer and more unbelievable by the day. But relief is nigh: go see a play. It won’t do away with Trump world but it will remind you that creativity, humanity and empathy still exist. (Replay Carney’s smart, eloquent Davos speech for another reminder.) See a play and help keep yourself sane.

Our On Now page will show you everything running through early February. Be sure to look for the BUY TICKETS buttons. And plot your theatregoing through early March on our Coming Soon page.

Theatre lovers, theatre students, theatre historians and casual readers are invited to browse our ARCHIVES pages. Read 1100+ reviews of what you may have seen or missed over the past two decades of Vancouver-area theatre.

Important Note: The BUY TICKETS Button on our PREVIEW and REVIEW pages is strictly a convenience for theatregoers. Click on the button and get direct access to the company’s box office for that show. Vancouverplays gets no cut or commission from your ticket purchase. 100% of the money goes directly to the theatre company.

Ruby Slippers’ Advance Theatre Festival at Burnaby’s Shadbolt Centre, Studio 103, runs Jan. 26-30 at 7:30 pm. New play readings from Irene (Fan) Yi, I Have a Dream in Chinese, Jan. 26; Abi Padilla, Far and Free (Malayo at Malaya), Jan. 27; Marcia Johnson, Just Like Paris, Jan. 28; Alexandra Lainfiesta, Bella Luz, Jan. 29, Sewit Eden Haile, Roald Dahl Doesn’t Care about You, Jan. 30. Tickets & info at https://tickets.shadboltcentre.com/

New Westminster’s Eighth & Eight presents Reading Theatre led by Allan Morgan: The School for Scandal, Jan. 28 atthe Plaskett Gallery, 2 pm. Show up by 1:45 if you’d like to be a reader.https://www.eighthandeight.com/event/reading-theatre-jan-14/

Langley’s Theatre in the Country is holding auditions for its June production of The Producers, Feb. 1-2. Info and application at https://theatreinthecountry.com/auditions/.

Asian-Canadian dramatists are invited to apply for the vACT Creation Lab. It includes a $3500 stipend, workshop time and dramaturgical support. Application deadline: Feb. 9. Info and application HERE.

Mitch and Murray Productions invites writers, directors and actors to Story to Screen: A Conversation with Showrunner Susin Nielsen. Feb. 11, 7 pm at 203 – 161 Keefer St. Tix $65(The event is sold out. Get on the waitlistHERE.)

Carousel Theatre for Young People presents the Family Forward Festival for Family Day weekend, Feb. 14-16. All events by donation. See details and book tickets at https://www.carouseltheatre.ca/tickets.

North Van’s Presentation House Theatre invites you to two events: a singalong to Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 movie, Moulin Rouge!Feb. 21, 2 pm & 7 pm. Tickets & info: https://www.phtheatre.org/movie-singalong-moulin-rouge-2026/. And Romancing the Stage: A Steamy Bookish Fundraiser, Mar. 14. Cocktails 6 pm. Info & tix: HERE.

Richmond’s Gateway Theatre presents Silk Road Music: Lunar New Year Celebration, Feb. 28, 2 pm, $25. Info & tix HERE.

Ruby Slippers Theatre invites playwrights and directors to apply for the 2026/27 Advance Theatre Festival. Submit play synopsis, brief bio and max. 15 pp. script excerpt or director’s resume and cover letter to info@rubyslippers.ca by May 15.

The Cultch now has five restaurant partners on Commercial Drive. Visit any on the same day you see a Cultch performance and get 15% off your bill: Social, Sing Sing Commercial, La Mezcalaria, Caffè La Tana and Havana. The Improv Centre has partnered with six Granville Island restaurants to get you 10-20% off your bill with a same-day Improv Centre ticket. https://theimprovcentre.ca/restaurant-partners/. The Firehall’s 15% off partner is Cuchillo on Powell St.

The Improv Centre is offering classes in improv at all levels. Info HERE.

Perry Ehrlich’s Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! musical theatre program is accepting applications for next summer, July 7-30 and Aug. 4-27, M-F 9:00-4:00. Info and applications here: https://theimpresario.ca/gotta-sing-gotta-dance/

Theatre Replacement opens registration for its East Van Panto-themed summer camps for ages 5-13 on Feb. 25. Info HERE.

Enjoy,

Jerry