Theatre Inconnu was born in 1978 as a creative venture by Katya Kern-Aho and Clayton Jevne, who together co-created and performed the troupe’s plays. For the first nine years the company toured a unique blend of theatre, puppetry, and clowning in Canada and in Europe. In 1987 The company registered, and established itself in what is now considered it’s “legendary” 50-seat Market Square cavern theatre space in “Olde Towne” Victoria, BC. Joining the company at this time, sculptor and performer Henry Aho became an integral third member of the creative team, and for the next three years they created a number of theatre/puppetry extravaganzas that blended live acting with puppetry. In 1991, Katya and Henry left the company to pursue artistic endeavors elsewhere in Canada and abroad. In transitioning to a more actor-focused approach to Theatre Inconnu presentations, Clayton developed and performed a one-actor, 2-hour adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The sold-out run of this show led to the securing of grants that allowed Clayton to hire actors to launch a Summer Mini-Shakespeare Festival, using 40-minute adaptations of some of Shakespeare’s most popular plays. In 1996 government funding was increased to a level that allowed Theatre Inconnu to turn the Summer Shakespeare Festival into a major event, with full-length productions in a giant tent in the Inner Harbour (by the Empress Hotel). After four years in the Inner Harbour, Theatre Inconnu moved the Shakespeare Festival to St. Anne’s Academy auditorium where it continued for another four years. In 2002 Clayton handed the festival over to the newly formed Victoria Shakespeare Festival Society, who continue to produce this Festival to this day. Throughout this time, Theatre Inconnu continued to produce regular seasons of more altenative plays. Meanwhile Clayton’s One-Man Hamlet continued periodic touring until 2001, both nationally and internationally, logging over 600 performances. In 2004, Theatre Inconnu relocated to Victoria’s historic Fernwood neighbourhood, to become the resident theatre company for the Fernwood Community and Arts Association in the heritage-designated 60-seat Little Fernwood Hall (now known as the Paul Phillip’s Hall). During its presence in this venue, Theatre Inconnu has outfitted the space with lighting and sound equipment, as well as a full set of high-quality stage drapery. In 2011, under Timothy Gosley’s directorship, Theatre Inconnu began a youth drama program which continued regularly until 2021. Other shorter-term summer festivals were also produced over the years, such as the International Faust Festival, Puppets for Peace, and Peace Dancer (with Roy Henry Vickers). To date Theatre Inconnu has brought Victoria audiences over 200 productions, covering all genres of theatre and methods of presentation, and continues to periodically tour solo shows.
