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 Europe. In 1987 The company registered, and established itself in what is now considered it’s “legendary” 50-seat it’s “legendary” 50-seat Market Square cavern theatre space in “Olde Towne” Victoria, BC. Joining the company at this time, 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 endeavours elsewhere in Canada and abroad. In transitioning to a more actor-focused approach to Theatre Inconnu presentations, Clayton developed and performed One-Man Hamlet, a 90-minute one-actor adaptation of Hamlet. The success of this show (on tour and in Victoria), helped secure funds for Clayton to launch a Summer Mini-Shakespeare Festival, in Theatre Inconnu’s intimate venue. This modest festival grew into a major event, and in 1996 re-locatead to a giant tent in Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Theatre Inconnu produced this festival for 12 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 – and still continues – to produce regular seasons of unique theatre, including significant premiers such as: The Ambassador by Slawomir Mrożek (English language world premiere), Kafka the Musical by Murray Gold (world stage premiere), Baconby Sophie Swithinbank (North American premiere), among others. 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 60- seat Paul Phillip’s Hall. In 2011, under Timothy Gosley’s guidance, Theatre Inconnu began a youth drama program which continued regularly until 2021. Timothy also oversaw a number of Inconnu summer festivals: International Faust Festival, Puppets for Peace, and Peace Dancer(by Roy Henry Vickers and Robert Budd, featuring Mr. Vickers and a multi-ethnic cast). In 2023, Theatre Inconnu launched a new initiative, called the Second Stage Series. Each season we work with an artist from an under-represented population groupto develop and present one or more one-act plays that will introduce our local audiences to unique experiences and cultural perspectives. This initiative was launched following a rewarding co-production of Pepe by Malou Jacob, with the Victoria Bayanihan Creative Collective. This Second Stage initiative began with Amira Abdel-Malek’s The Shoemaker’s Son, and in 2026 we will be premiering our 5th offering with Kintsugi by Narges Montakhabi Bakhtvar. To date Theatre Inconnu has brought Victoria audiences over 250 productions, covering all genres of theatre and methods of presentation. Victoria has a rich cultural fabric that is strongly mutually-supportive. Theatre Inconnu is about to enter its fourth decade of having been fortunate to share in the creative energy of this community. We invite you to learn more about our activities by visiting our website, and if you have not yet had the “Inconnu Experience”, please let us make you feel welcome in our home!
