August 31, 2001 - sixty years to the day that the first Allied convoy reached Russian shores, the theatrical dance production Convoy PQ.17 made its world premier in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Convoy PQ.17 is an original Canadian theatrical production inspired by the doomed World War II merchant convoy to north Russia, created by the son of a survivors of that ill-fated convoy. This production is a meditation on the lives of the merchant seamen during wartime, portrayed by three sailors adrift on a sinking boat in an orchestral sea on stage. The production has actually united actual participants (Allied merchant sailors and their Russian rescuers), veterans, sons of veterans as well contemporary artists in a beautiful expression of art and life interwoven through need and desire.

Bill Coleman, son of a survivor of this convoy and an innovative and renowned dancer, has assembled a remarkable artistic team which includes Victoria’s Symphony resident composer (and son of a merchant seaman) and other international notables.

Bill’s father Joseph, joined the Merchant Navy at age 18 and sailed on convoys to South America and into the Indian Ocean before sailing to Russia with Convoy PQ.17 on 27 June 1942. A day after his 20th birthday, Joseph’s ship was sunk and he made it to Russia in an open boat. This summer he returned to Russia and finally made it to St. Petersburg - a dream comes true!

EDITOR NOTE - This production is timed to coincide with the dedication of two memorials to the men who went down onboard the Russian ‘boomer’ submarine KURSK.