The very first Toronto Bealtaine Irish Theatre Pageant takes place from April 25 to Could 25, providing 4 productions that embrace comedy, music, and youngsters’s choices. The competition of latest Irish arts and tradition is offered by the Canada Eire Basis, with a mixture of theatre, music, dance, and storytelling.
This yr, the productions are unfold throughout a couple of completely different venues. For 2026, the Canada Eire Basis is constructing a model new venue for Irish and Canadian arts. Known as The Corleck, the renovation will remodel the previous Canada Malting buildings on town’s waterfront right into a cultural hub.
Bealtaine Irish Theatre Pageant: Lineup At A Look
The King of All Birds (April 25 – 27, Ontario Heritage Centre)
A unusual multimedia manufacturing about humanity’s fascination with the sky, and the dream of flight.
Tom Moran is a Huge Fats Filthy Disgusting Liar (Could 2 – 3, Theatre Passe Muraille)
Acclaimed theatre artist Tom Moran’s solo present performed to sold-out runs on the Dublin Fringe Pageant, Edinburgh Fringe Pageant, and a profitable run with the Irish Nationwide Theatre. The comedic efficiency touches on private themes of masculinity, childhood, and the secrets and techniques that form us.
Story of a Day — Scéal Lae (Could 17 – 18, Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse)
This piece, appropriate for kids aged 4 and up (and their households), is an imaginative and music-filled poetic celebration of the little moments that make up our days.
The Libravian (Could 24 – 25, Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse)
Lynn the “libravian” takes her viewers of youngsters aged 8 to 11 on a whimsical journey by way of literature, exploring tales about bravery.
Q&A
We requested Beatriz Lôbo Campos, Programming Supervisor on the Canada Eire Basis, a couple of questions in regards to the competition and artists.
How did you set collectively this system for the competition? Is there an underlying theme, or is it extra a matter of selecting particular varieties of theatrical productions?
The Bealtaine program has been fastidiously curated to showcase the depth and variety of latest Irish theatre, whereas spotlighting tales that resonate with Canadian audiences. Our purpose is to supply an expertise you received’t discover wherever else within the metropolis — a contemporary, vibrant tackle Irish storytelling.
We intention to problem expectations — each of what Irish theatre could be, and of the acquainted themes usually explored on Canadian phases. By mixing these two creative views, we’re creating an area for dialogue, discovery, and a uniquely Irish-Canadian theatrical expertise.
For our inaugural yr, there’s one thing for everybody. Households can immerse themselves within the imaginative worlds of Story of a Day and The Libravian, whereas audiences in search of daring, offbeat comedy will benefit from the sharp wit and theatrical aptitude of The King of All Birds and Tom Moran is a Huge Fats Filthy Disgusting Liar.
How would you describe Irish theatre — are there sure qualities that you’d say are distinctly Irish?
Irish theatre is commonly rooted in robust storytelling and richly drawn characters. The language has a lyrical high quality, a deep engagement with historical past and fable, and often a pointy wit that undercuts even probably the most critical moments.
What makes it distinctly Irish is the way it balances mild and darkish, humour and heartbreak, usually throughout the identical breath. There’s additionally a long-standing custom of theatre being an area for social and political reflection, whether or not subtly or overtly, and that continues to be true of many modern Irish productions.
What are you able to inform us about a number of the key artists who’re featured?
Martha Knight
Martha Knight is at present one of the crucial fascinating voices Irish Theatre. She transforms our mundane day-to-day experiences into vibrant worlds that immerse you in her creativeness. The King of All Birds showcases all her strengths: music, storytelling, and stage presence. She employs Irish motifs to discover our human obsession with the skies and contemplates what drives us to take a look at issues from above, all with nice humor and a “hen’s-eye view.”
Tom Moran
Tom Moran is a Huge Fats Filthy Disgusting Liar! Or he likes to say so; he has a penchant for the dramatic. Tom’s work is thought for its emotional honesty and comedic precision. He brings stand-up themes of turning private vulnerability into common storytelling to enchant theatre audiences together with his superb writing.
Branar/Story of a Day
It’s arduous to talk about any Branar manufacturing by itself — every present is a component of a bigger, ever-evolving tapestry of fantastically crafted worlds for kids and their households. From the quiet simplicity of a single day to the epic retelling of Ulysses for younger audiences (and the adults who convey them), Branar persistently redefines what theatre for younger individuals could be.
Based mostly in Galway, Branar is extensively considered certainly one of Eire’s main theatre corporations for younger audiences. Beneath the creative route of Marc Mac Lochlainn, Branar continues to create bold (they produce bilingual work in Irish and English), imaginative work, at all times rooted in its mission to entertain and encourage youngsters by way of high-quality artwork.
In Story of a Day, they mix animation, classical music, and reside theatre right into a sensory-rich expertise that delights households and sparks marvel.
James Riordan
James Riordan is an ingenious and fascinating theatre-maker whose work blurs the strains between motion, music, and fable. As Creative Director of Brú Theatre, he creates daring, bilingual (Irish and English), visually gorgeous and emotionally layered performances. He at all times pushes boundaries together with his storytelling in varieties and emotions.
Subsequent yr’s competition will happen in The Corleck, which I perceive is the previous Canada Malting constructing on the waterfront. What are you able to inform us in regards to the renovations?
Sure, we’re extremely excited to convey subsequent yr’s competition to The Corleck, our future dwelling. It’s a placing house with deep historic roots — the previous Canada Malting workplace constructing is being reworked right into a vibrant cultural vacation spot with areas for lessons, conferences, group gatherings, and a versatile exhibition house that may obtain music, theatre and visible arts.
The renovations have been fastidiously designed to honour the constructing’s heritage whereas equipping it with state-of-the-art services for the Toronto group. The Corleck might be a house for Irish and Canadian voices alike to collect.
- Discover extra particulars in regards to the Bealtaine Irish Theatre Pageant, which runs from April 25 to Could 25, [HERE].
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Anya Wassenberg is a Toronto Metropolis Editor at Ludwig Van. She is an skilled freelance author, blogger and writing teacher.
