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Cowichan Performing Arts Centre Presents

Reel Alternatives: The Great Escaper

The Cowichan Hospice Society presents

Subscribe to all 5 shows for $70! Single tickets on sale February 1, 2024.


In the summer of 2014 — the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings — octogenarian Bernie Jordan (Michael Caine) made global headlines. He’d staged a “great escape” from his care home to join fellow war veterans on a beach in Normandy, commemorating their fallen comrades. It was a story that captured the imagination of the world — Bernie seemed to embody the defiant, “can-do” spirit of a generation that was fast disappearing. But of course, it wasn’t the whole story. It was the story we all tell ourselves to make war and old age bearable. The bitter-sweet script explores the reality with wit and a very big heart. Bernie’s adventure, spanning a mere 48 hours, also marked the culmination of his 60-year marriage to Irene (Glenda Jackson) — the story celebrates their love without sentimentality and with an eye to the lessons we can all learn from the Greatest Generation.

Drama | Comedy

Reel Alternatives is a monthly fundraiser bringing Toronto Film Festival’s critically acclaimed films to the Cowichan Valley. This year’s circuit will feature five acclaimed films. All proceeds go directly to benefiting individuals and families in Cowichan through Cowichan Hospice by ensuring hospice services are available when they need them.

Note that the concession will be open with snacks and drinks, along with coffee and tea, available for purchase.

The Cowichan Performing Arts Centre welcomes you back to live performance. We are following current public health authority guidelines to keep our patrons as safe as possible.

Stay home if you are ill. Continue to respect personal space of two metres where possible. Wash hands and/or use hand-sanitizing stations.

All tickets are final sale. No refunds or exchanges. Please note that online ticket orders include a non-refundable service fee. Cancelled orders are subject to an additional service fee that is non-refundable.