The very first Toronto Bealtaine Irish Theatre Competition takes place from April 25 to Might 25, providing 4 productions that embody comedy, music, and kids’s choices. The pageant of latest Irish arts and tradition is introduced by the Canada Eire Basis, with a mixture of theatre, music, dance, and storytelling.
This 12 months, the productions are unfold throughout just a few completely different venues. For 2026, the Canada Eire Basis is constructing a model new venue for Irish and Canadian arts. Referred to as The Corleck, the renovation will remodel the previous Canada Malting buildings on the town’s waterfront right into a cultural hub.
Bealtaine Irish Theatre Competition: 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 (Might 2 – 3, Theatre Passe Muraille)
Acclaimed theatre artist Tom Moran’s solo present performed to sold-out runs on the Dublin Fringe Competition, Edinburgh Fringe Competition, 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 (Might 17 – 18, Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse)
This piece, appropriate for youngsters 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 (Might 24 – 25, Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse)
Lynn the “libravian” takes her viewers of children 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, just a few questions in regards to the pageant and artists.
How did you place collectively this system for the pageant? Is there an underlying theme, or is it extra a matter of selecting particular kinds 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 objective is to supply an expertise you gained’t discover anyplace else within the metropolis — a contemporary, vibrant tackle Irish storytelling.
We goal to problem expectations — each of what Irish theatre might be, and of the acquainted themes usually explored on Canadian levels. By mixing these two inventive views, we’re creating an area for dialogue, discovery, and a uniquely Irish-Canadian theatrical expertise.
For our inaugural 12 months, there’s one thing for everybody. Households can immerse themselves within the imaginative worlds of Story of a Day and The Libravian, whereas audiences searching for 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 usually rooted in robust storytelling and richly drawn characters. The language has a lyrical high quality, a deep engagement with historical past and fable, and normally a pointy wit that undercuts even probably the most severe moments.
What makes it distinctly Irish is the way it balances mild and darkish, humour and heartbreak, usually throughout the similar 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 up to date Irish productions.
What are you able to inform us about a few of the key artists who’re featured?
Martha Knight
Martha Knight is presently 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 have 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 understood 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 laborious to talk about any Branar manufacturing by itself — every present is an element of a bigger, ever-evolving tapestry of superbly crafted worlds for youngsters 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 might be.
Based mostly in Galway, Branar is broadly thought to be one in every of Eire’s main theatre corporations for younger audiences. Underneath the inventive path 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 kids 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 beautiful and emotionally layered performances. He at all times pushes boundaries together with his storytelling in varieties and emotions.
Subsequent 12 months’s pageant 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 12 months’s pageant to The Corleck, our future dwelling. It’s a hanging 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, neighborhood 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 neighborhood. The Corleck will likely be a house for Irish and Canadian voices alike to collect.
- Discover extra particulars in regards to the Bealtaine Irish Theatre Competition, which runs from April 25 to Might 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.
