Persephone Theatre 26/27 Season Preview

by Rachel Mutombo
WORLD PREMIERE
a co-production with Western Canada Theatre

Recommended Audience: 12+
Running time: 2 hours, plus intermission
Content Advisory: mature themes

Miriam Kabongo, the prodigal daughter, is called home to the prairies for her father’s wake, arriving to a house which feels desolate without him. With sisters who have busy lives of their own, and a mother who is as impenetrable as ever, Miriam is forced to finally confront the family dynamic that has kept her away. As mourners gather over the weekend, grief collides with old wounds, generational divides, and secrets that refuse to stay buried. Bursting with life, Wake is full of heart, laughter, and plenty of family drama.

Wake was commissioned by Persephone Theatre in 2021 as the inaugural selection of Persephone’s IBPOC New Play Development program.

by Michelle Thrush
presented by Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre in partnership with Persephone Theatre

Recommended Audience: 12+
Running Time: 60 minutes, no intermission
Content Advisory: mature themes

It takes great imagination to survive. A young Indigenous girl growing up in Alberta navigates a world of substance abuse, aliens, and the spiritual presence of her guiding grandmothers. In her darkest moments, her superhero Kookum with magic moccasins appears to help light the way forward. With humour, forgiveness, and truth, she is able to heal from the past and transform her future.

Award-winning Cree artist Michelle Thrush (from APTN’s Blackstone, CBC’s North of 60, Arctic Air) weaves real-life memories with laughter, grace, and playfulness to explore her own inner Elder. A mix of poignant recollections, beautiful humour, and intimate storytelling that will open your heart and mind while making you laugh out loud.

by Mark Crawford
an Arts Club Theatre production

Recommended Audience: 12+
Anticipated Running time: 90 minutes, plus intermission
Content Advisory: mature themes, non-toxic smoke

Since getting married, Glen and Sandy Golden have celebrated their wedding anniversary by spending a romantic weekend at the same cottage. Every year, for 50 years – well, almost. A week ago, Sandy called off their big 50th anniversary party and kicked Glen to the curb. Now, he wants to talk. Join the Goldens as they recount the good, the bad, and the ugly of spending half a century together. From the writer The Birds and the Bees, a recent Persephone audience favourite, The Golden Anniversaries is a comedy-drama about marriage, memory, and a long-term love for the ages.

by Djennie Laguerre
a Black Theatre Workshop & Roseneath Theatre Co-production
presented in partnership with La Troupe du Jour

School Tour – November 16 – December 4, 2026
Ages 8+
Content Advisory: This beautiful, heartwarming play has age-appropriate representations of mental health and the family impact of having a parent with depression.

In the middle of a pandemic lockdown, 12-year-old Eli finds herself having to take care of her maman, who is going through her “sadness” again. Left with a notebook from her maman to guide her, she reaches out to her elderly neighbour Madame Jean for help. Together, the two take on caring for Eli’s maman, online school, and a very nosy neighbour in this heartwarming and funny story about community support and a friendship that spans generations.

This new production from playwright Djennie Laguerre focuses on themes of mental health, resiliency, immigration, and storytelling – and features three languages – English, French, and Creole. We are partnering with La Troupe du Jour to bring this production to both French and English-speaking audiences in the Backstage, before touring the show to schools throughout the province.

PRENDRE SOIN DE MOM
de Djennie Laguerre
une coproduction du Black Theatre Workshop et de la Roseneath Theatre Company
présentée en partenariat avec Persephone Theatre

à partir de 8 ans

En pleine période de confinement due à la pandémie, Eli, 12 ans, se retrouve obligée de s’occuper de sa maman, qui traverse à nouveau une période de « tristesse ». Avec pour seul guide un cahier laissé par sa maman, elle demande de l’aide à sa voisine âgée, Madame Jean. Ensemble, elles s’occupent de la maman d’Eli, de l’école en ligne et d’un voisin très curieux dans cette histoire touchante et drôle sur le soutien communautaire et une amitié qui transcende les générations.

La toute dernière pièce de la dramaturge Djennie Laguerre aborde les thèmes de la santé mentale, de la résilience, de l’immigration et de la narration, et est présentée en trois langues : français, anglais et créole. En partenariat avec le Persephone Theatre, nous proposons cette production aux publics francophones et anglophones au Backstage Stage.

Adapted by Lauren Gunderson

Running time: 2 hours and 10 minutes, plus intermission
Content Advisory: mature themes

Pragmatic Meg. Sweet Beth. Vibrant Amy. And ambitious, independent, beloved Jo. In this charming new adaptation, Louisa May Alcott plays Jo March as she recounts how she wrote her famous novel for her real-life sisters, who in turn play the characters inspired by them. Under the loving guidance of their mother, Marmee, these infamous sisters each take their own path toward womanhood in a challenging world of social expectations thanks to the love, support, and antagonism of one another. Captivating readers for generations, this beloved story continues to delight with this energetic and novelistic approach using dialogue, description and interior thoughts just as Alcott wrote them. Relive this timeless tale of goodwill, resilience, and family told by a determined young writer who sought and found her way in the world on her own terms.

by Sean Devine

Recommended Audience: 14+
Running time: 2 hours, including intermission
Content Advisory: mature themes

November 2, 1965. Norman Morrison drives to the Pentagon with his infant daughter, a jug of kerosene, and a box of matches. With Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara looking on, the young Quaker carries out a final act of witness against the horrors of the Vietnam War. Thirty-six years later, in the wake of 9/11, his daughter returns to confront the aging McNamara, the memory of her father, and the costly legacy of sacrifice.

Created by Shizuka Kai, Jess Amy Shead, and Randi Edmundson
a Little Onion Puppet Company production

Ages: 4+

When little Shizu hides in her Otosan’s suitcase and secretly travels to his most dangerous destination, The North, her presence is a big surprise and an even bigger nuisance to her gruff, no-nonsense father. Facing snowy owls, white wolves and grizzly bears in the most remote of locations, Otosan and Shizu must learn to tackle challenges together, eventually learning how to communicate their love.

Inspired by co-creator Shizuka Kai’s real-life experience with her father, a wildlife videographer, Otosan is a beautifully told story that uses puppetry, real wildlife projections, and an original score to take the audience on an immersive journey. Featuring tabletop puppets, a non-verbal story, and delightful animation, Otosan has been developed with input from Deaf artists to ensure an exciting experience for Deaf and hearing audiences alike.

A Production of Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes

Recommended Audience: 16+, no exceptions. This production is intended for adult audiences only. Children under the age of 16 will not be admitted. ID will be requested.
Anticipated Running Time: 95 minutes, no intermission
Content Advisory (brochure): mature themes, coarse language

World renowned puppeteer, Ronnie Burkett, brings his unique and intricate theatre of marionettes to Saskatchewan for the first time.

Joe and his dog Mister lose their home, and facing separation, head into the world for one last grand adventure together. The world seems broken, but Joe sees magic in the mundane, beauty amidst brutality, and life in the lost and lonely. He and Mister encounter Mother Nature, Santa Claus, Jesus and the Tooth Fairy, witness a troupe of homeless players in a cardboard theatre, and show a disenfranchised teen how to jump over the moon in a playground rocket ship. A seemingly simple tale of a simple man, Wonderful Joe is a love letter to imagination, hope, and the art of filling broken hearts with gold.

Recommended Audience: 12+
Running Time: 90 minutes, plus intermission
Content Advisory: mature themes

The iconic songbook of Johnny Cash shines in this moving theatrical journey through a life rich in love, faith, struggle, and redemption – and the healing power of home and family. A multi-talented cast paints a captivating musical portrait of The Man in Black in a foot-stompin’, crowd-pleasin’ salute to the musical legend and the passion, grit, and heart that defined his journey.