Theatre is often a mirror to society, but Eyes of the Beast, opening in Vancouver this June, takes that reflection a step further by transforming raw personal stories into a powerful call for urgent climate action. Presented by Neworld Theatre in partnership with the Climate Disaster Project and SFU’s School for the Contemporary Arts, this groundbreaking production runs from June 18 to 22 at the SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts. Over five nights, audiences will witness an immersive, documentary-style play that brings the voices of climate disaster survivors to life, inspiring compassion, community, and civic engagement.
Eyes of the Beast is a 90-minute theatrical experience based on award-winning journalism that captures the deeply human impact of climate calamities across Western Canada. It tells compelling stories like that of a mother and daughter forced to flee their home in Lytton, BC, amid wildfires, or a Fraser Valley fishing guide rescuing animals—including an alligator—from flooding waters. An emergency room worker, himself on the frontlines during the 2021 heat dome, recalls how hospitals operated in a ‘wartime triage’ mode, illustrating the strain climate crises place on communities and infrastructure.
Directed by Chelsea Haberlin and brought to life by a talented ensemble of SFU students, the production employs evocative lighting, sound design, and projections to render nature as a vivid, almost character-like presence on stage. Through this sensory approach, the audience is invited not just to hear but to feel the urgency and visceral reality of these climate disasters, making the threat immediate and personal.
The theatre experience extends beyond storytelling. Following each performance, a facilitated conversation incorporates local elected officials and climate advocates. These discussions are designed to foster dialogue about real, actionable solutions and help audiences combat feelings of helplessness or anxiety about climate change. These communal exchanges aim to empower individuals and reinforce the importance of collective action in addressing the crisis now, rather than postponing solutions into an uncertain future.
Sean Holman, creator of the Climate Disaster Project and Professor of Climate Journalism at the University of Victoria, emphasizes that despite the looming darkness, resilience and hope are core themes. “Even in the face of disaster, human dignity shines through,” Holman says. “This production teaches us that survival and a better future are possible when we come together with compassion and purpose.”
Eyes of the Beast has garnered significant recognition, recently being named a finalist in the Canadian Association of Journalists’ 2025 awards for environmental and climate change reporting—a landmark achievement as the first collaboration of its kind between journalism and theatre in Canada.
Tickets are affordable and accessible, with prices ranging from $5 to $10, ensuring that the message reaches as many community members as possible. The production is a poignant reminder of the pressing need to listen, reflect, and act—boldly and collectively—in confronting the climate emergency.
For tickets and more information, visit neworldtheatre.com. This powerful show not only highlights survivor stories but also challenges audiences to transform empathy into civic activism, making a tangible difference in our communities today.
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