About the Play:

The Courier and Other Plays contains four one-act plays by Vern Thiessen. Includes The Courier (the first play Thiessen ever wrote), Back to Berlin, The Resurrection of John Frum, and Valentine.

The Courier: Spring 1945, occupied Czechoslovakia. The Russians are at the door, and David Dyck, a young Mennonite courier in Hitler's army must decide whether to open a top secret letter and face charges of treason, or remain ignorant and risk death. A chilling tale of survival. (Produced at the 1988 Edmonton International Fringe Festival and across Canada; Cast: 1 man)

What people say about The Courier:

"Terrific Theatre...." — Winnipeg Free Press

"Intelligent, well-crafted, and highly entertaining." — The Globe and Mail

Back to Berlin is the companion piece to The Courier. Fifty years after the end of the war, a middle-aged man returns to Berlin with his father, who had been a courier in Hitler’s army. A fast paced, funny and poignant one-man show, Back to Berlin explores father/son relationships, family secrets, and how history can play tricks on our memory. (Premiered in 2005 with the Solo Collective Theatre in Vancouver; Cast: 1 man)

What people say about 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 Resurrection of John Frum: A Christian and a worshipper of a mysterious religious movement try to convert each other. For Isaac, the key to hope lies in the teachings of Christ. Syd worships an obscure Melanesian cargo cult. What happens when they try to convert each other? An off-centre look at the nature of faith, hope and salvation. (Performed on the Canadian Fringe Circuit in 1999; Cast: 2 men)

What people say about 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. (Cast: 1 man).

What people say about Valentine:

"…(Thiessen) has crafted intricate, believable characters whom we love and hate all at once…." — Dr. Ruth Dyck Fehderau, University of Alberta

About the Playwright:

Vern Thiessen is one of Canada's most produced playwrights. He has written for stage, radio and television. His stage plays – including Einstein's Gift – have been seen across Canada, the United States, Asia, the United Kingdom, the Middle East and Europe. He is the winner of many awards including the Governor General's Literary Award, Canada's highest honour for playwriting. He splits his time between Canada and New York City.