Upstage Magazine - Casey and Diana

“It will crack you open and heal you in a way that only the very finest art can do.”

—BRITT JOHNSON

Hello!

Welcome back to the Belfry and Casey and Diana by Nick Green, the final show of our 50th Anniversary Season.

It will also be Michael Shamata’s final show as our Artistic Director – a moment we will honour with much gratitude.

We welcome back Brenda Robins (From Alaska, 4000 Miles and more) and Celine Stubel (The Lehman Trilogy, Venus in Fur and more). Deborah Drakeford, Meghan Gardiner, Morgan David Jones, and Liam Ma are making their Belfry debuts.

Britt Johnson, a frequent collaborator with playwright Nick Green describes the show this way: “It will crack you open and heal you in a way that only the very finest art can do.”

We look forward to sharing this incredible show with you.

Land Acknowledgement

The Belfry Theatre is on the land of the People, known today as the Songhees and Kosapsum Nations. The people have been keepers of this land for millennia and we offer them our respect and gratitude for our presence on this territory.

B4 Play

(In-person + Online)

SATURDAY, APRIL 18 AT 11 AM

BMO Studio Theatre, 1291 Gladstone Avenue

Our live talk show hosted by CBC Radio’s Gregor Craigie and featuring artists from the upcoming show, along with experts from the community, has been designed to provide insight into each Mainstage production.

Each event is held the Saturday before Opening, is free to attend, live-streamed on Facebook, and is available as a podcast on our website.

To reserve free tickets, please call our Box Office at 250385-6815.

VICTORIA, BC V8T 1G5 WWW.BELFRY.BC.CA is produced four times per year and can be found at branches of the Greater Victoria Public Library, the Belfry, and online at issuu.com/belfrytheatre. If you would like a digital copy please drop us a line at hello@belfry.bc.ca.

Casey & Diana is generously supported by

Tickets 250-385-6815 / tix.belfry.bc.ca

BELFRY THEATRE 1291 GLADSTONE AVENUE

Upstage is supported by

Richard Silver on Casey House and Princess Diana’s Visit

Volunteering at Casey House Hospice in its early years was an experience that profoundly shaped my understanding of compassion and human dignity. Guided by the remarkable June Callwood, we navigated uncharted territories, as there were no pre-existing models for an AIDS hospice. Each day presented new challenges and opportunities to innovate in care and empathy.

My journey towards understanding the profound impact of AIDS began through personal loss. I witnessed three friends succumb to the disease, each experience painfully distinct. The first loss occurred in a hospital setting, where my friend was isolated, his last days marked by a heart-wrenching absence of family and a clinical barrier of gowns and masks. The second experience was even more harrowing, in a U.S. hospital where another friend was denied even the basic comfort of morphine. His doctor’s rationale — that it would adversely affect his medical outlook — was both illogical and inhumane, considering he was in his final hours.

However, it was the third experience, at Casey House Hospice, that redefined the end-of-life journey for those with AIDS. Here, my friend’s last days were transformed into what June Callwood aptly described as a “velvet experience.” The hospice was a sanctuary where dignity, care, and compassion were paramount, a stark contrast to the previous experiences of isolation and neglect.

One of the most impactful moments during my time at Casey House was the visit by Princess Diana. She moved through the hospice like a beacon of hope and understanding. Her approach— speaking directly, warmly, and without gloves to each resident—was revolutionary at a time when misinformation and fear surrounded AIDS. Her actions spoke volumes, demonstrating a profound empathy and a desire to connect with those suffering.

Yet, the moment that truly resonated with me was when Princess Diana interacted with a hearing-impaired family member of a resident. As a nurse began to translate the conversation into sign

language, Diana intuitively paused and communicated directly in sign language. This gesture transcended mere words; it was an act of profound respect and understanding, acknowledging the individual’s needs and humanity.

These experiences at Casey House, under the guidance of June and with the inspiring presence of figures like Princess Diana, were not just about providing care. They were about changing perceptions, breaking down barriers, and advocating for the dignity of those who were often marginalized and misunderstood. This journey has been one of the greatest honours of my life, teaching me invaluable lessons about compassion, advocacy, and the power of human connection in facing some of life’s most challenging moments.

Richard Silver is a former Casey House Board Member

Why I Chose This Play

Cast & Creatives

Why did I fall in love with this play—? Why do I find it so moving—? It took me awhile to put my finger on it. And then I realized—from time to time we are all called upon to show up—for a parent, a dear friend—a stranger. How willingly we do what’s needed and devote the time that’s needed— depends on our priorities, energy, and mood.

At Casey House in 1991, Princess Diana arrived to meet a dozen men who were victims of AIDS—doubly scorned—first for being gay, then for being infected. Even hospital staff were terrified of contact—for fear of catching the epidemic. Princess Diana spent time with every hospice patient. She touched them. She spoke to them. She held their hands. She showed up big time. And in so doing—she shifted the attitude towards PWAs (People With AIDS) for millions of people around the globe. That example—that reminder that to be human is to give selflessly—is what makes this play sing.

—Michael Shamata, Artistic Director

LIVE & VIRTUAL EVENTS

Our round-up of events happening at the theatre over the next four weeks.

B4PLAY (IN-PERSON + ONLINE)

BMO Studio, 1291 Gladstone Avenue

SATURDAY, APRIL 18 AT 11 AM

Our live talk show hosted by CBC Radio’s Gregor Craigie and featuring artists from the upcoming show, along with experts from the community, has been designed to provide insight into each Mainstage production.

Each event is held the Saturday before Opening, is free to attend, live-streamed on Facebook, and is available as a podcast on our website.

To reserve free tickets, please call our Box Office at 250-385-6815.

TALKBACK THURSDAY

MAY 7

Following the third Thursday performance of each show, actors return to the stage to answer your questions and provide insight into the play you have just experienced. These Q & A sessions last approximately 20 minutes.

VOCALEYE

SUNDAY, MAY 10 AT 2 PM (IN-PERSON EVENT WITH TOUCH TOUR & SOCIAL AFTER)

For patrons with low or no vision, we offer one VocalEye performance during most Mainstage productions. Trained Audio Describers provide descriptions of the visual elements of the show, allowing people with low vision to enjoy the theatrical experience without missing any of the details. Touch tours are available following the performance. More information at the Box Office 250-385-6815.

Belfry Librarian

A selection of books inspired by the Belfry Theatre’s production of Nick Green’s play about Canada’s first hospice for men dying of AIDS, a visit by Princess Diana, and the capacity to be kind, to give, and to learn.

Poetry:

Memoir:

Frank: Sonnets by Diane Seuss

Punks: New and Selected Poems by John Keene

Non-Fiction:

Diana: An Amazing Life: The People Cover Stories 1981-1997 by Cutler Durkee

Diana: Her True Story—In Her Own Words by Andrew Morton

Diana: My Graphic Obsession by Sivan Piatigorsky-Roth

From Gay to Z by Justin Sayre

Let the Record Show: A Political History of ACT UP New York, 1987-1993 by Sarah Schulman

Out North: An Archive of Queer Activism and Kinship in Canada by Craig Jennex

The Power of Kindness: Why Empathy is Essential in Everyday Life by Brian Goldman

Me by Elton John

Missed Connections:

A Memoir in Letters Never Sent by Brian Francis

Our Story: Coming Out in the Time of HIV and AIDS by Robert Hamilton

Taking Turns: Stories From HIV/AIDS Care Unit 371 by MK Czerwiec

Theatre Kid: A Broadway Memoir by Jeffrey Seller

The Very Heart of it: New York Diaries. 1983-1994 by Thomas Mallon

This booklist has been created especially for you by the Arts, Culture and Heritage Portfolio.

A short Q & A with playwright Nick Green

By Emilea Semancik

Which ’hood are you in?

I live in what some people call the Upper Beaches, which is near Woodbine and Danforth. That said, I’m trying to push a rebrand to the “Arts and Crafts District” because of all the amazing fabric, pottery, baking, painting, and hobby stores. The rebrand is going pretty slowly so far, given that I am literally the only person who says it.

What do you do?

I am a professional playwright and musical theatre book writer. I’ve been doing it for about 20 years, and every day is a new and exciting challenge. I’m also a trained social worker and have a whole other life doing that work.

Tell us about Casey and Diana

My play Casey and Diana had its world premiere at the Stratford Festival. The show chronicles Princess Diana’s famous visit to Casey House, Canada’s first AIDS hospice. This was a significant, stigma-breaking event that is a beautiful part of Toronto’s history.

Casey & Diana

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

April 21–May 17, 2026

Tuesdays – Thursdays at 7:30 pm

Friday & Saturdays at 8 pm

Wednesday Matinees at 1 pm (April 29, May 6 and 13)

Saturday Matinees at 4 pm

Sunday Matinees at 2 pm

Audience Engagement Schedule

B4PLAY

(In-person + Online)

Saturday, April 18 at 11 am

TALKBACK THURSDAY

(In Person)

Thursday, May 7 following the performance.

VOCALEYE

Sunday, May 10 at 2 pm (in-person event with Touch Tour & Social after)

Saturday, May 30 at 7:30 pm

Tickets $50

CASEY & DIANA

PUBLIC FUNDERS

SEASON SPONSOR & ACCESS PARTNER:

SEASON SPONSORS