Billing itself as Victoria’s longest surviving alternative theatre company, Theatre Inconnu was launched in 1978 by Katya Kern – Aho and Clayton Jevne. The duo toured their singular form of theatrical entertainment featuring puppetry and clowning across Canada and to Europe.
By 1987 they were ensconced in Market Square, the heart of “Old Town” Victoria. With the addition of sculptor and performer Henry Aho, they created and produced many theatre/puppetry extravaganzas blending the collective performance and artistic skills of the three artists.
This incarnation of Theatre Inconnu shifted once again with the departure of Katya and Henry. Clayton and a new partner, Ian Case, focussed less on puppetry and more on live theatre. This eventually led to the inclusion of an annual Shakespeare Festival which was successful enough to need relocating to a giant tent in Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
The Festival was retired in 2002 and Theatre Inconnu resumed its more intimate/alternative style of performance. Relocating to the heritage designated 80-seat Little Fernwood Hall in the Fernwood neighborhood of Victoria has proven very advantageous. The renovated building is an exciting intimate space which lends itself well to the unique performances of Theatre Inconnu.
Today Theatre Inconnu continues to produce challenging plays and events under the Artistic Direction of Clayton Jevne and Associate Artistic Director Graham McDonald. Over many years this company has offered unique entertainment to audiences in Victoria BC with more than 100 productions incorporating many genres and methods of presentation.
