Dief the Chief: October ’62

Dief the Chief: October ’62 returns for a 2026 season!

Join us for a performance of the acclaimed theatrical production Dief the Chief: October ’62. Written and performed by Pierre Brault, with Peter Haworth as John Diefenbaker, this immersive play blends storytelling and history in a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience, 75 feet underground.

You’ll follow Prime Minister John “Dief the Chief” Diefenbaker throughout historic rooms of the Diefenbunker as he relives one of Canada’s most significant historical moments: the heart-stopping events of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Performance Dates

Friday, June 12 Friday, July 17 Wednesday, July 22 Friday, July 24

Showtimes

4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Tickets

$59.00* Tickets must be purchased in advance.

On the same day as your chosen showtime, your Dief the Chief: October ’62 ticket affords you FREE general admission to the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, to explore the site during the museum’s operational hours.

*Prices exclude taxes and host processing fees. Taxes and fees are calculated at checkout.

About the production

It’s October 1962. Relive the heart-stopping story of the Cuban Missile Crisis through the eyes of Canada’s 13th Prime Minister, John “Dief the Chief” Diefenbaker. Travel with “Dief the Chief” through the Diefenbunker — down the Blast Tunnel and into the War Cabinet Room — as he and the world watch the USA and USSR face off in history’s closest brush with nuclear war. Hear in his own words how Prime Minister Diefenbaker navigated a demanding president, a divided cabinet, and a fierce opposition in the face of a nuclear crisis.

This play is an artistic interpretation of historical events, written and staged for the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum. Learn more about the history.

Pierre Brault is an Ottawa-based multi-award-winning actor, playwright, and stand-up comedian. He is best known for his solo plays Will Somers: Keeping your Hear, Portrait of an Unidentified Man, 5 O’clock Bells, and Blood on the Moon. Pierre has toured his productions across Canada and abroad to Ireland and New Zealand, and he has also worked extensively in film, television, and radio.

Peter Haworth has performed for forty years throughout Canada, acting on stage, in film and television, and as a voice actor, including taking on major roles as King Lear, Mark Antony, and Tolstoy. Peter has directed and produced large-scale productions, co-created ShakespeareWorks, was Artistic Producer of Actors Repertory Company, and was part of the original Soulpepper Theatre Company.

We look forward to raising the curtain once again for Dief the Chief: October ’62.

Accessibility

This performance involves moving between rooms of the Diefenbunker and traveling up and down stairs. If you will require mobility assistance, please reach out to our team in advance so that we can accommodate accordingly. Learn more at about accessibility at the Diefenbunker.