The Chemainus Theatre is a modern, 268-capacity venue that annually produces one acclaimed musical, comedy, and nostalgic throwback after the next for throngs of appreciative patrons. Along with the town's murals and shopping district, it's a major draw for visitors.
Chemainus Theatre Festival
The Chemainus Theatre Festival, a fully professional, not-for-profit operation stages more than 350 evening and matinee performances year-round. New shows cycle through every few months under the direction of Artistic Director Mark DuMez and feature first-rate companies of actors, set designers, and musical accompanists. A wide selection of classic and contemporary stage shows have been mounted over the years. In recent times these have ranged from Broadway staples like South Pacific, My Fair Lady, and Oklahoma to Ibsen's A Doll's House, George Bernard Shaw's Saint Joan, and A.A. Milne's comic gem Mr. Pim Passes By. The theatre also produces a popular matinee "KidzPlay Series" (i.e., The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) for young people and their parents.
Lunch, Dinner & Hotel Packages
Arrive early for a pre-performance buffet meal in the Playbill Dining Room. Menus change on a seasonal basis and the chefs here enjoy creating dishes that play on the themes of current productions. Expect at least one hand-carved meat dish and a variety of other entrees in addition to soup, salads and a waistline-expanding dessert selection.
Music In Chemainus
Dancing Bean Café (9752 Willow Street) hosts regularly scheduled acoustic performances by local and touring musicians plus open-mic nights in a casually intimate setting. Great food, drinks and ambience on main street. The lively crowd at Saltair Neighborhood Pub (10519 Knight Street) provides plenty of communal fun nightly. Musicians and bands occasionally perform on the outside lawn during the summer. Twisted Sisters Tearoom (9885 Maple Street) features dozens of tea varieties, a remarkable washroom that must be experienced to be believed (no spoilers here!), and jam nights in the backroom performance space. Check with the Visitor Centre for more information about performing arts events in Chemainus.