Just what has changed this year for Halloween Victoria is that there are some new acts involved in celebrating the season and some fond returning staples. While this list is not meant to be comprehensive, the focus is with what live theatre performances are being offered over the same ol’ same ol’.
In a nutshell, they include Discover the Past’s Ghostly Walks, Galey Farms’ Festival of Fear and Ocean View / Saanichton Corn Mazes Fright Nights. It seems some local neighbourhood style events have disappeared, and they might make a comeback when nobody is worried about Covid. But as for other semi-regular shows, they are mentioned in the Honourable Mention section.
Also, thanks goes to the Theatre Victoria Facebook group for helping me compile this list. Presented in alphabetical order are:
ATOMIC VAUDEVILLE PRESENTS:
CABARET #88 CRONE-O-PHOBIA
Join Victoria’s own Wyrd Sisters Kelly Hobson and Amanda Butler on a journey to the Crone Zone featuring cats, tradwives, and a bucket of pig’s blood. They will be asking questions like: Who is Perry O’Menopause? What comes after Brat Summer? And what’s that Blood Moon all about?
All this and more in Atomic Vaudeville’s first Halloween Spectravaganza at our new venue, Fellowship Hall!
BALLET VICTORIA’s FRANKENSTEIN
Royal Theatre
805 Broughton St.
Doctor Frankenstein’s “creature” meets Giselle’s “willies” in this original zombie ballet. Destrooper’s interpretation brings to the stage an alchemy of horror, romance, humour, and science fiction driven by a score boasting Verdi, Shostakovich, Dukas, Catalani and Adam. Let unbridled passions set your heart ablaze. Tickets can be purchased online here.
THE HAUNTED LIFE OF
FRANCIS RATTENBURY
Parliamentary Plays
501 Belleville St., Victoria, BC V8V 2L8
The Haunted Life of Francis Rattenbury runs every weekday from October 17 to 30. Doors open at 6:30 pm and plays begin at 7:00 pm. Tickets are free of cost, but guests must register ahead of time to reserve their spot.
Click here to register, or call (250) 387 6668 if you have any questions.
LEFT AND GRIEVING
1609 Blanshard Street
Oct 23 to 26th, 2024
Dearly beloved, join Paper Street Theatre for a powerful improvised play that delves into the heart of loss. The only certainty in life, is that it will end, and those we love will be left behind. Come and watch as our cast of improvisers capture those raw, unscripted moments of mourning, where humour and heartbreak come together in unexpected ways.
SKAM
THE SEAGULL | COWBOY
849 Fort Street
(please see link for exact showtimes)
On the last night of their life, seagull is very busy. in order to die, they must first:
clean their nest (lest any incriminating evidence be found).
sign for deliveries.
R ‘ – call their loved ones.
Amidst ticking off items on their final to-do list, they find dying to be harder than expected. from the sick and twisted minds that brought you ciaran and islay make coffee (winner of best comedy & best duo at the Victoria Fringe), the seagull is a bird’s eye view into what it means to be alive.
EVERYTHING IS SUPER WOW | Spec Theatre
Everything is Super Wow is a foot-fuelled, slapstick tragedy about bicycles, dreaming big and giving up in your 30s. Follow Stanzcyk on a kinetic solo journey filled with peppy puppets, original tunes, and awkwardly captivating dance moves.
SWITZERLAND BY
JOANNA MURRAY-SMITH
160 Government St
Oct 26th to Nov 3rd, 2024
With The Talented Mr. Ripley, Patricia Highsmith once created one of the greatest literary characters of the 20th century: terrifying, enigmatic, complex, human. These days, she’s living as a recluse in the Swiss Alps. She’s done with writing, having firmly slammed the door on the Dead White Males of the American literary establishment. She fills her days with cats and show tunes, chain-smoking as she nurses her ever-growing collection of antique weapons. But, now, there is a young man standing in her study. He’s been sent by her publisher to convince her to pen one last Tom Ripley novel. And he’s not going to take no for an answer.
What starts as a simple game of cat and mouse becomes a breathtaking battle of wits as Highsmith and her visitor interrogate identity and the art of creation. Crackling with intelligence and bristling with tension, this enthralling meta-thriller is a white-knuckle ride to the finish.
RAVENSCROFT
805 Langham Ct
Sept 25 to Oct 13
On a snowy night, Inspector Ruffing is called to a remote house to investigate the headlong plunge of Patrick Roarke down the main staircase. He becomes involved in the lives of five alluring and dangerous women – Mrs. Ravenscroft; her daughter, Gillian; the maid, Dolly; Mrs. French the housekeeper; and Marcy, a governess. Thrills, chills, and laughs abound before this dark comedy reaches its conclusion.
Tickets: Adults: $26, Seniors: $24, Students: $19, Preview (Sept 25 only): $18
Purchase your tickets online at www.langhamtheatre.ca
ROCKY HORROR (All Drag)
Drag Sunday Productions
Metro Theatre, 1411 Quadra St.
Oct 23-27
This theatre troupe is entering into its third year of presenting the Rocky Horror Show, and lots of fun is expected for fans. While some gravitate to the Picture Show, there’s just something about a live act that gets the blood pumping!
SWEENY TODD (Nov 22 to Dec 01)
McPherson Theatre (online tickets available through the box office)
3 Centennial Square
Although taking place after the day, this classic deserves mention because it’s Sweeny Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to nineteenth century London, seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which he opens a new barber practice. Mrs. Lovett’s luck sharply shifts when Todd’s thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up… and the carnage has only just begun!
THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW (Nov 1 to 3)
Oak Bay Beach Hotel
David Foster Theatre
1175 Beach Drive
This story really needs no introduction, and it’s being presented as an in-person show as the performers play it out as though it’s being broadcast on the radio with all the bells and whistling wind too. Andrew Bailey adapted this work to present Washington Irving’s timeless tale in a format rarely used. Tickets can be bought in advance here.
HONOURABLE MENTION
CRAIGDARROCH CASTLE HAUNTED TOURS
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to delve into the darker stories surrounding the Dunsmuir family and their experiences during the Victorian era—an era where the Halloween season took on a more morbid tone than we are accustomed to today. These tours start Oct 11th and runs until Nov 17th. Wearing good footwear is required, as its expected each floor will be explored. These explorations take place starting at 4pm, and tickets can be purchased in advance through Eventbrite.
Halloween Market YYJ
Celebrate the best of the spooky season in Victoria!
You’ll find sweet treats and dark delights handcrafted by local artisans, a sip n’ shop by Howl Brewing, and haunting tunes from our wicked DJs. This year we are excited to feature two days of market fun to get your spook on, a vendor list featuring local favourites and new faces, as well as a lightning lineup for advance ticket holders.
Saturday, October 26 Early Bat shopping hour at 10 am (ticketed) and general admission from 11 to 5.
Sunday, October 27 from 11 to 4.
Admission: $5 per day, $7 for a two-day pass. Kids 12 and under are free. A portion to benefit the Habitat Acquisition Trust. Tickets are on sale now at www.halloweenmarketyyj.com
LOST IN THE WOODS
HALLOWEEN SHOW AND PARTY
Taking place on October 26th at the eerie Crystal Garden, reality and nightmare will blur. This annual Halloween event promises to be even more bone-chilling. Tickets often sell out fast as each year, it’s different, and what’s planned is still performance theatre and merry drinking at its best.
Here is how the evening works:
Lost In The Woods will kick off with an immersive dance spectacle running from 7:00-8:00 PM, with doors opening at 6:00PM. This show will feature performers in dances of all levels from beginner to professional. We have woven our twisted tales into an exciting evening for you filled with mystery and mayhem.
The party will kick off after the show completes at 8:00 PM. There will be dancing with music spun by DJ Marlon, a photo booth, games, a draglesque experience, incredible food and more. You won’t want to miss this party!