THEATRE INCONNU

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Theatre Inconnu was born in 1978 as a creative venture by Katya Aho-Kern and Clayton Jevne, who together co-created and performed the troupe’s plays. For the first nine years the
company – with Katya and Clayton at the helm – toured their unique blend of theatre, puppetry, and clowning in Canada and in Europe.

In 1987 The troupe established itself in what
is now considered it’s “legendary” 50-seat Market Square cavern theatre space in “Olde Towne” Victoria, BC.  The company gradually shifted to an “acting” approach style of theatre, focusing on  plays of an “alternative” nature.  In addition to its regular season programming, in 1991 Theatre Inconnu launched an annual summer Shakespeare Festival.  Beginning modestly in our Market Square venue, the event quickly grew to become a major tourist attraction in a giant in Victoria’s Inner Harbour.  After producing the festival for 11 years (the last four taking place at St. Anne’s Academy Auditorium), Theatre Inconnu handed it over to the newly formed Victoria Shakespeare Society who continue to produce this well-attended annual event on the grounds of Camosun College.  Throughout this period, and up to the present day, Theatre Inconnu has continued to present vibrant theatre in an intimate setting.

In 2004 the company became the resident theatre company in a new venue: the Paul Phillips Hall in the historic central area of Fernwood in Victoria.  This fully-equipped “black-box” theatre maintains the intimate and informal atmosphere of the troupe’s original home. Over the years Theatre Inconnu has continued to periodically take shows on the road, and has toured productions in every region in Canada, as well as trips to the UK, the USA, and Mexico. Theatre Inconnu remains under Clayton Jevne’s artistic directorship, and to date has produced more than 120 shows in Victoria.