Challenging sexual and cultural norms

As the world’s longest-running and largest queer theatre, Buddies in Bad Times plays an important role in Toronto’s theatre community by presenting stories that challenge sexual and cultural norms.

In contrast to the mainstream theatre of Toronto’s Entertainment District, Buddies is committed to theatre that is challenging and avant-garde. While catching a show at the Royal Alexandra or the Princess of Wales is like going to a restaurant and ordering the house salad (always a safe bet), catching a show at Buddies is like asking the chef to throw together something new and one-of-a-kind.

Buddies advances the cause of queer liberation while serving a broad and diverse community of people. Blending art, dance, music, and drama in innovative ways, it is a theatre company like no other. You will never leave a performance at Buddies without having something to talk about.

In addition to its regular season, Buddies in Bad Times supports an artist-residency program and several youth-focused initiatives, such as the Young Creators Unit training program for budding artists and the Queer Cab monthly open mic night for queer youth. Every weekend, Buddies opens its doors to the community for two nights of fun and dancing, with all proceeds going to support its theatre and youth programs.

History

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre was founded in 1979 by Sky Gilbert, Matt Walsh, and Jerry Ciccoritti. Although its original intention was to adapt poetry for the stage, Buddies developed a distinctly queer aesthetic during the 1980s under the leadership of the always provocative Sky Gilbert (and his drag persona Jane).

After Buddies moved into its first home at 142 George Street in 1991, it started to gain more attention – and notoriety. Particularly controversial were the infamous Dungeon Parties, which experimented with the use of bondage in performance. Three years later, Buddies relocated to its current home in the Gay Village at 12 Alexander Street.

Throughout the ‘90s and into the new millennium, Buddies witnessed two new artistic directors, numerous theatrical successes, and an increased emphasis on alternative art forms like cabaret and burlesque. The theatre also developed a marked focus on queer youth with the development of its youth initiatives and weekend club nights.

Buddies’ leadership was taken over by its fourth and current Artistic Director, Brendan Healy, in 2009. The theatre remains committed to its values of difference, excellence and community, and has continued to enjoy a growing audience while spawning the careers of dozens of Canadian actors, playwrights and directors.

In 2012, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre was voted Toronto’s Best Small Theatre Company by Now Magazine.

Manon, Sandra and the Virgin Mary

By Michel Tremblay. Translated & directed by John Van Burek.

Dates: January 11th to February 2nd.

Described as “a hauntingly powerful evening of theatre” by the Vancouver Express, Manon, Sandra and the Virgin Mary contrasts parallel monologues by the quietly pious Manon and the irreverent drag-queen Sandra, exploring the relationship between the sacred and the profane.