The Courier and Other Plays

Back to Berlin
“Thiessen’s script is rhythmically sophisticated… There are so many riches here that even analyzing the faults is a pleasure.” —The Georgia Straight
“Back to Berlin reminds us that our stories are not only about wars won and lost but also of love and forgiveness.” —Vancouver Courier

The Courier
“Terrific Theatre” —Winnipeg Free Press
“Intelligent, well-crafted, and highly entertaining.” —The Globe and Mail

The Resurrection of John Frum
“This is the rarest of creature: a play about religion without an obvious agenda.” —The Edmonton Sun
“Thiessen has written with compassion and considerable insight about faith and the human need to believe.” —Winnipeg Free Press

Valentine
“After a hard working but rich life with his wife, Victor finds himself unprepared for the domestic duty of raising his teenage son alone… (Thiessen) has crafted intricate, believable characters whom we love and hate all at once…” —Dr. Ruth Dyck Fehderau, University of Alberta

AUTHOR

Vern Thiessen

Vern Thiessen is one of Canada’s most produced playwrights. His work has been seen across Canada, the United States, and Europe. Vern is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Award for Outstanding New Play, the City of Edmonton Arts Achievement Award, and the Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama. Vern received his BA from the University of Winnipeg and an M.F.A. from the University of Alberta. He currently lives in Edmonton, where he is the artistic director of Workshop West Playwrights’ Theatre.

AUTHOR

Ruth DyckFehderau

Ruth DyckFehderau has written two nonfiction books with James Bay Cree storytellers: The Sweet Bloods of Eeyou Istchee: Stories of Diabetes and the James Bay Cree (2017) and E Nâtamukh Miyeyimuwin: Residential School Recovery Stories of the James Bay Cree, Vol. 1 (forthcoming 2023). Her work has been translated into five languages and she has won many literary awards. She sometimes teaches Creative Writing and English Lit at the University of Alberta. She lives in Edmonton with her partner. She is hearing-impaired. This is her first novel.