Belfry History

Arrow
Belfry History

As a professional adult theatre company, we are dedicated to producing contemporary plays, with an emphasis on Canadian work, and to promoting artistic, cultural, and educational events in the Greater Victoria Region.

In the past 48 years, the Belfry has produced 360 + plays, including 280 Canadian plays, and more than 50 premieres. Many of those premiere productions have gone on to acclaim across Canada, in the U.S., Australia, Europe and London’s West End. Belfry productions regularly tour to other cities and have won awards in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary.

The Belfry’s mission is to produce theatre that generates ideas and dialogue, and that makes the audience see the world a little differently.

48 years

360+ plays

50 premieres

The Building


The company resides in a former Baptist Church built between 1887 and 1892. From the company’s inception in 1974 until 1991 the Belfry rented the main theatre space in the building from The Cool-Aid Society and shared the complex with a homeless shelter. In 1991, Cool-Aid moved, and the Belfry began the first of five capital campaigns to buy and restore the building. Renovations were completed in 2000 with the restoration of the exterior. The building is listed in the heritage registry and has won awards for its restoration.

The Belfry Theatre Society gratefully acknowledges the City of Victoria’s Permissive Tax Exemption.

With this exemption, the city is supporting the city’s arts and cultural organizations and contributing to the heritage landmark that is the Belfry.

Season Sponsors