Doctor Faustus Brings Fast-Paced Comedy and Soul-Selling to Vancouver Fringe
Rough Magic Theatre is bringing a modern, fast-paced reimagining of Christopher Marlowe’s The Tragicall Historie of Doctor Faustus to the 2026 Vancouver Fringe Festival. Directed by Melanie White (WROL), this lively 60-minute open-air production breathes new life into the 400-year-old classic, transforming a high-stakes tale of ambition into a Buster Keaton-style physical comedy.
When the scholar Dr. John Faustus grows bored with conventional knowledge, he strikes a dark bargain: selling his soul to the devil in exchange for 24 years of absolute power. The production reimagines traditional roles with dynamic gender-bent casting, starring Ryan Doherty as Faustus and Halle Galloway (WROL, Anything But Ghosts) as Mephistopheles. Backed by a versatile ensemble—including Sarah Moon, Bree Barton, and Loughran MacLeod—a five-person cast brings more than 30 characters to life, from scheming demons and mischievous servants to the Pope and the Seven Deadly Sins.
Whether you are a fan of classical adaptations with a modern twist or looking for an engaging outdoors theater experience on Granville Island, this quick-witted staging offers an accessible, funny, and thought-provoking hour of live drama.
TICKETS & INFO
Event Details:
Dates: September 10–20, 2026
Location: Granville Island Picnic Pavilion (267 Old Bridge Walk, Vancouver)
Tickets: $20 (Half-price for Fringe+ Members on opening night, Sept 10)
Info & Tickets: Available via VancouverFringe.com