a new play
by Matthew Payne

Local theatregoer and long-time arts supporter Joan Mans inspires My Memory’s Not So Good. For over thirty years Joan attended arts happenings in the capital, sometimes from morning until night, finishing her evening most nights at Swan’s Pub dancing to live music.

She developed quite an eye for great theatre and an ear for excellent music. In 1997, enthralled with our outdoor production of Zastrozzi, she made a donation to SKAM to pay for the 50 army blankets, used by the company at our recent outdoor performance.

Joan entered extended care after she fell three and a half years ago and died on November 1st 2010 . As Joan was declared incapable, and without family or a legal ‘guardian’, the health system was not legally responsible to her, an individual, and so Joan’s friends in the community knew little about her transfers to a new home, or changes to her medication, until they occurred or were found out by word of mouth. This journey is at the heart of this project.

Development is well underway with this project as SKAM works closely with Oak Bay Lodge, The Belfry Theatre, and The Banff Centre; Canada’s Creative Leader in Arts and Culture. Next is a reading at the Belfry March 19, 2012 with an anticipated preview in 2013.

What’s the press been saying about Joan + SKAM?

Monday Magazine | November 2010
The Reality of Life, Matthew Payne

Times Colonist | November 2010
Grandmother of All Fans, Adrian Chamberlain