(Image Credit: Curtis Goodrum / CFJC Today)

By Curtis Goodrum

CASEY AND DIANA

Western Canada Theatre weaves joy into tragedy in ‘Casey and Diana’

Jan 13, 2026 | 6:00 PM

KAMLOOPS – Tuesday (Jan. 13), Western Canada Theatre (WCT) held a first look at its newest play, Casey and Diana. The show is based on Princess Diana’s visit to Casey House, Canada’s first aids hospice in Toronto. The play continues WCT’s theme of plays based in Canada, celebrating the theatre company’s 50th season.

The play takes on complex themes, something the cast is happy to portray.

“When you’re doing a well-written play like this, the comedy is a natural part of life, and you can’t focus on playing the tragedy of it. These people had to live their lives every single day. They needed a bit of hope, a bit of entertainment and a bit of fun. That’s just, like, the natural thing that happens, especially when you’re in some of the darkest situations,” said Mathew Hulshof, who plays Thomas, a patient at Casey House.

The play’s title character, Princess Diana, is a daunting character to take on, but it is something her actor is excited about.

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“Princess Diana was so incredibly famous and remains incredibly famous to this day. The work she was doing for hospices, leprosy and landmines was so impactful. I feel a huge responsibility, a privilege, a pleasure to play such an iconic woman,” said Randi Edmundson, the actor who portrays Diana. 

The actors hope the audience can get into the play as much as they are.

“The playwright has done such a beautiful job of building full human feeling, loving characters. I feel like I have just the joy of entering the scene and being there in that space. The sort of realness of the situation. It to me feels like it’s unfolding there on the stage and I just get to live in it,” said Edmundson.

Despite the seriousness of the topic, the show weaves in elements of joy.

“I love all the scenes that I get to have when I really just get to interact with the other characters, and the scenes that are joyful.  I’m not going to beat around the bush — it’s a sad play. It’s a play about men dying, but my favourite parts to do are when we just get to find that joy,” said Hulshof.

Casey and Diana runs from January 22 until February 1 at the Sagebrush Theatre. Tickets can be found online at Kamloops Live Box Office.