https://www.davidvanbelle.com/plays daily 1.0 2025-12-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1483645344035-CY7A0I79TZ9NABULY8VU/IMG_0262.JPG.jpg Plays https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1483645467462-AEU9I1DLIZATCKPRX1XS/Liberation+Days+129.jpg Plays https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1483737695369-N056A2LFFKZ0151E0OEO/Archival+Photos+-+Program+20140201+-+0016.jpg Plays https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1522358777305-Y5S2DES2QLRHGUS6GKR2/20180321+Easter+Island+RG+11.jpg Plays https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1712537572098-I8H6VP4WGK79T1VOZRG2/DSC01918.jpeg Plays - Liberators, Occupiers and Population tour, 2005 (Amsterdam, Berlin, Maastricht) with One Yellow Rabbit https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1672164468596-J9M9SKLID83KCRCNWXMH/Citadel+Carol+2022-6083.JPG Plays A CHRISTMAS CAROL A new adaptation by David van Belle Directed by Daryl Cloran Music Director/Sound Designer: Mishelle Cuttler Set/Costume Designer: Cory Sincennes Lighting Designer: Leigh Ann Vardy Choreographer: Laura Krewski Photographer: Ian Jackson Starring Ted Dykstra (2019-2021) and John Ullyatt (2022) as Ebenezer Scrooge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1483470640541-1XIOQR7ICVAXEIT72YGX/Donald+Crowhurst+0734+NB1_4929.jpg Plays https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1483567272481-HHYUT1OLYGCAV0IB9XXG/DSC_0441.jpg Plays https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1553657327264-J6STUPR6V6G459E12NY1/Giant_shootthru-207_sm.jpg Plays - GIANT “The body of the wrestler, like a seed, contains the whole fight.” - ROLAND BARTHES: From “The World of Wrestling” (1957) From the minds behind The Highest Step in the World, Tomorrow’s Child and The Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst comes a new show of epic proportions. GIANT is the amazing story of professional wrestler André the Giant, one of the most recognizable and beloved public figures ever, told from the perspective of the one person he left behind. Packed with captivating imagery, animated objects, and the raw spectacle of a wrestling match, GIANT unfolds as a boisterous alternative to the traditional bio-pic. A cast of five women tells the story with a raucous high theatricality that bodyslams professional wrestling’s hyper-masculine culture. Ghost River’s trademark collaborative approach to theatre means that design, direction, script and performance all work together to stage an unstageable protagonist (7’4” and 520 pounds!), using the language of theatrical scale to express the extraordinary life of a person of extraordinary size. GIANT makes full use of the inherent theatricality of professional wrestling, bringing an audience ringside while they simultaneously discover the details of André’s giant-sized life. The show traces his discovery in France by Québécois promoter Frank Valois, his early days at the Montréal Forum and his rise to superstardom in the coke-and-cable-tv-fuelled early days of the World Wrestling Federation. It also examines his struggles with acromegaly—a form of gigantism that made him a spectacle, destroyed his body, and drove him to alcoholism and an early death. Created in a city with deep roots in the culture of professional wrestling, GIANT is a show designed to engage both wrestling aficionados and those who knew him only as the beloved giant Fezzik in Rob Reiner’s classic film, The Princess Bride. Oh, and there’s also the true story of him being driven to school as a boy by Samuel Beckett. Proud recipient of the New Chapter grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. Premiered in Calgary at the Grand Theatre as part of the Festival of Animated Objects March 12-24th, 2019. CREDITS Co-Creators / Playwrights: David van Belle and Eric Rose Director: Eric Rose Stage Manager: Sara Turner Assistant Stage Manager: Meredith Johnson Dramaturg: Vicki Stroich Puppet / Set Designer: Robin Leveroos Sound / Lighting Designer: Anton deGroot Costume Designer: Patrick Du Wors Fight Director / Wrestling Choreographer: Brianna Johnston Puppet Consultant / Coach: Peter Balkwill Apprentice Director: Lindsey Zess-Funk Production Manager and Technical Director: Marc Lavallee Puppet Builder: Stephanie Elgersma Puppet Builder: Juanita Dawn 70’s Strut Choreographer: Deanne Walsh Photos by Tim Nguyen / Citrus Photography Acting Ensemble: Jamie Tognazzini Geneviève Paré Jamie Konchak Makambe Simamba Morgan Yamada Additional Credits for the May 2018 Workshop: Production Manager and Technical Director: Thomas Geddes Stage Manager: Beth Grieve Assistant Stage Manager: Michael Luong Lighting Programmer / Operator / Crew: Patrick Fitzsimmons GRT Artistic Intern / Graphic Design: Savanna Harvey Puppet Builder Intern: Andy Brown Special Thanks to the Calgary Boxing Club https://www.davidvanbelle.com/about-david daily 0.75 2025-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1483645750339-MHNQJ66TE9MDGJ2ZA7VH/IMG_2913.jpg About David https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1483651888100-4XMUVHULB0L3CYUXKAGT/image-asset.jpeg About David Production poster: The Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst (2015) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1496255754358-KHA3NZIPPPRC3QRAFPSY/IMG_2913.jpg About David https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1497458826633-E2HQ9CYS3NA05SPGZ2GD/David+van+Belle--Curriculum+Vitae-1.jpg About David https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1497458597616-BG29QUGILYLPLGJHIUY8/contact_banner.jpg About David https://www.davidvanbelle.com/buy-a-play daily 0.75 2022-12-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1587594584882-HRFNDBGMZEDMXCNR9NBB/Liberation%2BDays%2Bbook.jpg Buy a play Click here to buy! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1497458888252-AQGGNQECE5ITB5TFKKT0/Liberation+Days+book.jpg Buy a play https://www.davidvanbelle.com/video-gallery daily 0.75 2024-04-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1483735408948-4518CZDLERW7ELSXMOC3/image-asset.jpeg Video Gallery - A scene from LIBERATION DAYS at Theatre Calgary https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1483735912136-WIFUUZLQEI0K1V6ICQS6/image-asset.jpeg Video Gallery - Trailer--Ghost River Theatre's The Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1483736083564-5PQ64BMLM8086XED3VEL/image-asset.jpeg Video Gallery - The Highest Step in the World: Trailer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1483736209716-2NAIHXQCTSDTQKN1WSEU/image-asset.jpeg Video Gallery - Ghost River Theatre's Tomorrow's Child https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1483736274448-3VPFUQQK0LSDGDIE4GFY/image-asset.jpeg Video Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1483736421000-RUNG7SZXLTGSM062IMY1/image-asset.jpeg Video Gallery - Mavericks! A mask performance created at the Glenbow Museum (in dialogue with their Mavericks exhibition). Part of Swallow-A-Bicycle's Freakshow promenade performance at the 2010 High Performance Rodeo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1484766216017-GTSKYDH755KF3YMLU0Z4/Donald+Crowhurst+0080+NB1_4329.jpg Video Gallery https://www.davidvanbelle.com/in-progress daily 0.75 2022-12-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1484080815106-RNUY0NQMDCG4F17K5YMS/intro_Havel_l_0001.jpg In Progress https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1548783560794-B5HZVIOWX7C9U56N2D16/Christmas+Carol.jpg In Progress https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1497458206125-M6F6X7X70UOJUOAIZFU8/in+progress.jpg In Progress https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1497458361454-H3JO11BZJ1MM683BKFH5/intro_Havel_l_0001.jpg In Progress https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1548783744659-IE145MVS8H914LU97GGM/Christmas+Carol.jpg In Progress https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news daily 0.75 2020-12-11 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/2020/12/11/some-lovely-press-for-a-christmas-carol-online monthly 0.5 2020-12-11 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/2020/11/20/a-christmas-carol-goes-online-for-2020 monthly 0.5 2020-11-20 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/2020/1/28/a-christmas-carol-is-back-for-2020 monthly 0.5 2020-11-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/586bf0ad59cc684b2ac1fda2/1580233870426-2AIQ2AKTCMWXHPG4O2ZI/Carol+2020+graphic.jpg News - A Christmas Carol is back for 2020! I love this new image from Emily Chu Illustration! https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/2019/11/28/promotional-videos-for-a-christmas-carol monthly 0.5 2019-11-29 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/2019/11/27/preview-articles-for-a-christmas-carol monthly 0.5 2019-12-05 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/2019/7/24/david-and-makambe-k-simamba-named-co-playwrights-in-residence-for-workshop-west-playwrights-theatres-20192020-season monthly 0.5 2019-07-24 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/2019/6/18/velvet-revolution-short-listed-for-the-alberta-playwriting-competition monthly 0.5 2019-06-19 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/2019/6/12/eight-betty-mitchell-award-nominations-for-giant monthly 0.5 2019-06-12 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/2019/3/31/reviews-for-giant monthly 0.5 2019-04-01 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/2018/10/12/david-leads-the-citadel-theatres-playwrights-lab-for-2018-2019 monthly 0.5 2018-10-12 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/2018/3/21/easter-island-opens-friday-may-23-2018 monthly 0.5 2018-03-21 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/2018/1/9/creative-team-for-easter-island monthly 0.5 2018-01-09 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/2018/1/9/tomorrows-child-tours-british-columbia-in-march monthly 0.5 2018-01-09 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/2017/10/31/liberation-days-at-the-new-vintage-theatre-in-kelowna monthly 0.5 2017-10-31 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/2017/10/31/tomorrows-child-in-winnipeg monthly 0.5 2017-10-31 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/2017/7/7/easter-island-short-listed-for-the-alberta-playwriting-competition monthly 0.5 2017-07-07 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/2017/5/21/david-talks-about-liberation-days-on-cbc-radio monthly 0.5 2017-05-22 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/2017/4/19/liberation-days-book-launch-on-may-8-at-audreys-books monthly 0.5 2017-04-19 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/2017/4/19/velvet-revolution-to-be-read-at-script-salon-on-may-7 monthly 0.5 2017-04-19 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/2017/3/8/liberation-days-nominated-for-8-merritt-awards monthly 0.5 2017-03-08 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/tag/stephanie+macdonald monthly 0.5 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/tag/burgandy+code monthly 0.5 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/tag/cbc monthly 0.5 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/tag/russell+bowers monthly 0.5 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/tag/nova+scotia monthly 0.5 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/tag/verb monthly 0.5 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/tag/radio monthly 0.5 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/tag/theatre monthly 0.5 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/tag/graham+percy monthly 0.5 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/tag/theater monthly 0.5 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/tag/jennifer+goodman monthly 0.5 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/tag/two+planks+and+a+passion monthly 0.5 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/tag/ken+schwartz monthly 0.5 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/tag/jamie+konchak monthly 0.5 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/tag/jeff+schwager monthly 0.5 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/news/tag/liberation+days monthly 0.5 https://www.davidvanbelle.com/new-page daily 0.75 2019-01-29