VITAL SPARK theatre was formed in Vancouver in 2002.  It is dedicated to breathing fresh life into the old; shining lights in dark corners; and giving voice to the unheard and the forgotten of B.C. history.

Past  productions:  
Their critically acclaimed first production in 2003 was an adaptation of  Constance Skinner’s Birthright which was mounted  at the Jericho Arts Centre.  The play, though written by BC’s first professional playwright in 1905,  had never before been produced in Canada despite its acclaim in the US and Skinners’ enormous fame there.  Joan Bryans’ adaptation of Birthright has been published by Playwrights Canada Press (2005, ISBN: 0-88754-752-4)

Their second production was Two Years in Nicola,  a new play by Joan Bryans based on the life of Jessie and Annie MacQueen (two sisters who came west from Nova Scotia to the interior of British Columbia in 1887).  It was mounted in Vancouver, and Kamloops, in October 2005.

May 2008 saw the opening of Socrates on Trial which ran to great success for one week at the Telus Theatre, Chan Centre for the Performing Arts.  Adapted by Andrew Irvine from the works of Aristophanes and Plato, Socrates on Trial challenges audiences to decide whether Socrates really was guilty as changed and deserved the death penalty, whether there can ever be ideas so dangerous they must be stopped no matter what.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR - JOAN BRYANS

Joan Bryans has been involved in live theatre as actress, producer, writer and director for way more years than she really cares to remember.

For Vital Spark Joan adapted and directed Birthright (later published by Playwrights Canada Press) and wrote the script for their second production Two Years in Nicola, based on the letters of Jessie and Annie McQueen, which she also directed.  She has just directed Socrates on Trial by Andrew Irvine and is currently at work on a new play, which hopefully will be mounted in the upcoming season.

In past years Joan has created and directed for United Players of Vancouver, several productions based on the life and works of Jane Austen: Jane Austen's Holiday Fayre (2003), Looking for Mr. Darcy (2004), and Regency Revels (2005). Past directing credits also include The Apartment (Women at Play(s) 3), Socrates on Trial  (UBC),  Shadowland, and Pride and Prejudice (United Players), Ladies Who Lunch (Metro Theatre), Under Milk Wood and My Mother Said I Never Should (Kamloops Players).

Recent acting credits include Mama in Wreckage, Pegs in I Am Yours, Gertie in Fuddy Meers, Clytemnaestra in Electra, Ruth in If We are Women and lead roles in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Trojan Women, and The Road to Mecca.

Joan is also co-founder (with Sally Stubbs) of Tightrope Productions and Vice President and publicist of United Players of Vancouver.