Arts Club Theatre Company
Franklinland by Lloyd Suh

When & Where March 12 – April 5, 2026 | Lindsay Family Stage at Granville Island,1585 Johnston St.t

Director Omari Newton Set Designer Kimira Reddy Costume Designer CS Fergusson-Vaux Lighting Designer Jonathan Kim Sound Designer Rick Colhoun Fight Director Jonathan Hawley Purvis Stage Manager Jenny Kim

Cast: Ben Brian Markinson William Luc Roderique Temple Jakobe Jenkins

Reviewer Elizabeth Paterson

I had hoped, from the title, for a play about the United States, either as Benjamin Franklin imagined it or as it has become since the Revolution. Irreverent comedy or historical drama, either would be welcome. In fact, this play is neither. Instead, the play takes a promising premise -- Franklin’s unsatisfactory relationship with his son -- and fails to use it to examine the relationship of the Nation’s Founding Father and the Nation itself, or to explore real father-son relationships.Full review

United Players of Vancouver
Network adapted for the stage by Lee Hall, based on the Paddy Chayefsky film

When & Where March 20 - April 13, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm.. First & third Saturdays at 8 pm, second and fourth Saturdays at 2 pm, Sundays at 2:00 pm | | Jericho Arts Centre, 1675 Discovery Street

Director Kathleen Duborg Set Design Emiily Dotson Costume Design Julie White Lighting Design Mark Carter Technical Director Phil Miguel Stage Manager Emily Hoff

Reviewer Elizabeth Paterson

A long time ago Paddy Chayefsky wrote a satirical but astonishingly prescient film script about a traditional TV news program up for grabs by corporate interests. Now Lee Hall's adaptation for the stage feels more like commentary on current events. Full review

Arts Club Theatre Company
The Golden Anniversaries by Mark Crawford

When & Where January 22–February 15, 2026 | Granville Island Stage,1585 Johnston St.

Reviewer Elizabeth Paterson

What better place to set a play about memory than “at the cottage,” a timeless place where lasting memories are built. Ryan Cormack’s set is a faithfully presented cottage, complete with aging deck, paddles on the wall, ancient barbeque and a couple of Muskoka chairs. The couple who are the heart of this story are also faithfully presented – an unpretentious, middle-of-the-road couple in their 70’s on the day of their golden anniversary. They should be celebrating their accomplishments - Glen (Peter Anderson) is a successful car salesman, Sandy (Eileen Barrett), a popular writer of romantic fiction. 50 years married is quite an achievement in itself – but Glen is alone at the cottage. Sandy has thrown him out.   Full review

United Players of Vancouver
The Replacement Wife by Aaron Bushkowsky

When & Where January 23 - February 15, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Jan 24 and Feb 7 at 8pm, Saturdays Jan 31 and Feb 14 and all Sundays at 2pm | Jericho Arts Centre, 1675 Discovery Street

Reviewer Elizabeth Paterson

Aaron Bushkowsky’s new play is a tender examination of dying and grief, loving and friendship. Beautifully acted by an excellent cast and keenly directed by Johnna Wright, the play follows Jackie (Miriam Smith), suffering from Stage 4 cancer and her husband of many years, Ben (Bill Dow). Full review

United Players of Vancouver
The Cricket on the Hearth A novella by Charles Dickens

When & Where November 28 - December 21, 2025, Jericho Arts Centre, 1675 Discovery Street

Reviewer Chris Lockhart

Since the release of the book on December 20, 1845 there have been several adaptations among them a 25-minute NBC radio play, that aired on December 24, 1945. 80 years after that radio air date United Players of Vancouver transports us to Victorian England with an adaptation by Naomi Wright (with Director Sarah Rogers) and impressive period costume by Mara Gottler.   Full review