The Drowning Girls
February 13 - 17, 2024 - SOLD OUT! Waiting lists are kept each evening for unclaimed reservation seats, released 5 minutes before showtime.*
We are delighted that all remaining performances of The Drowning Girls are sold out through reservations!
* Although we cannot guarantee a seat, we have historically been able to accommodate up to 15 people from the waiting list. If you haven't been able to get a ticket through a reservation, we encourage you to come to the theatre for about 7 pm to go on a waiting list for unclaimed reservations; these tickets are released to those on the night's waiting list about 5 minutes before the show starts. Our House Management team keeps a list each night (not in advance) from 7 - 7:25 pm and unclaimed tickets are released to those on the list in order.
The February 17th performance will include audio description by VIEW Winnipeg. If you are a patron needing the audio description offered by VIEW Winnipeg on February 17th please contact the office at 204-786-9955 to arrange special seating for that performance.
Directed by Hope McIntyre
Scenic Design Laina Judge Costume Design Jojo Garton Lighting Design Adam Parboosingh
Performed by 3rd Year Honours Acting Class with technical support by Senior & Junior Production students
ACTF Theatre, 400 Colony Street (enter off Balmoral)
Free admission
Content warning details at the bottom of this page.
The University of Winnipeg’s Department of Theatre and Film presents The Drowning Girls by Beth Graham, Charlie Tomlinson, and Daniela Vlaskalic. This chilling tale is based on the true crime of the Brides in the Bath, a historical case that made headlines in 1915. It will be performed by the Acting III: Honours class and directed by faculty member Hope McIntyre from February 13 – 17, 2024.
In 1999, three Edmonton playwrights adapted this true story into a ghost story for the stage. The play toured nationally and went on to be performed throughout the world. The strong response was due to the unique storytelling method, the visual power of water and bathtubs on stage, as well as the use of humour despite the dark themes.
Bessie, Alice, and Margaret are revived in order to present evidence against their murderer and in doing so take back their power. “The Drowning Girls humanizes those who were harmed, but also allows them to share their stories in a playful way. There is joy in these three women banding together,” says director McIntyre. It is also an incredible piece of theatre for the three actors (students Mary Catagas, Renelle Chartier, and Jen Gieg) who embody dozens of characters.
Unfortunately, violence against womxn continues to be a timely issue. The play highlights the systemic cause of gender-based discrimination in the early 1900s. It also effectively demonstrates how society, and not just an individual monster, can make the supposed “fairer” sex vulnerable even in 2024.
This University of Winnipeg production features costume design by student Jojo Garton, set design by student Laina Judge, and lighting design by faculty member Adam Parboosingh. All technical work is done by both junior and senior production students.
In partnership with VIEW Winnipeg, this production will also feature an audio described performance for the visually impaired, a first for the UWinnipeg Department of Theatre and Film. This is one step in their larger commitment to make performances more accessible.
The Drowning Girls runs Tuesday, February 13 through Saturday, February 17 at 7:30 pm each evening in the Asper Centre for Theatre and Film, 400 Colony Street (enter from Balmoral).
The February 17th performance will include audio description by VIEW Winnipeg.
Admission is free; all performances are sold out through reservations, but an in-person waiting list is kept each night for unclaimed tickets, released 5 minutes prior to curtain.
Performance Length: approximately 75 minutes, no intermission.
Warning: Water-based theatrical haze is used in the show.
Mature content warning: Emulation of death, violence against womxn, intimate partner abuse, gaslighting, misogyny, serial murder, emotional trauma, chronic pain, and hauntology. For mature teens and up.