The very first Toronto Bealtaine Irish Theatre Festival takes place from April 25 to May 25, offering four productions that include comedy, music, and children’s offerings. The festival of contemporary Irish arts and culture is presented by the Canada Ireland Foundation, with a mix of theatre, music, dance, and storytelling.
This year, the productions are spread across a few different venues. For 2026, the Canada Ireland Foundation is building a brand new venue for Irish and Canadian arts. Called The Corleck, the renovation will transform the old Canada Malting buildings on the city’s waterfront into a cultural hub.
Bealtaine Irish Theatre Festival: Lineup At A Glance
The King of All Birds (April 25 – 27, Ontario Heritage Centre)
A quirky multimedia production about humanity’s fascination with the sky, and the dream of flight.
Tom Moran is a Big Fat Filthy Disgusting Liar (May 2 – 3, Theatre Passe Muraille)
Acclaimed theatre artist Tom Moran’s solo show played to sold-out runs at the Dublin Fringe Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and a successful run with the Irish National Theatre. The comedic performance touches on personal themes of masculinity, childhood, and the secrets that shape us.
Story of a Day — Scéal Lae (May 17 – 18, Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse)
This piece, suitable for children aged four and up (and their families), is an imaginative and music-filled poetic celebration of the little moments that make up our days.
The Libravian (May 24 – 25, Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse)
Lynn the “libravian” takes her audience of kids aged 8 to 11 on a whimsical journey through literature, exploring stories about bravery.
Q&A
We asked Beatriz Lôbo Campos, Programming Manager at the Canada Ireland Foundation, a few questions about the festival and artists.
How did you put together the program for the festival? Is there an underlying theme, or is it more a matter of choosing specific types of theatrical productions?
The Bealtaine program has been carefully curated to showcase the depth and diversity of contemporary Irish theatre, while spotlighting stories that resonate with Canadian audiences. Our goal is to offer an experience you won’t find anywhere else in the city — a fresh, vibrant take on Irish storytelling.
We aim to challenge expectations — both of what Irish theatre can be, and of the familiar themes often explored on Canadian stages. By blending these two artistic perspectives, we’re creating a space for dialogue, discovery, and a uniquely Irish-Canadian theatrical experience.
For our inaugural year, there’s something for everyone. Families can immerse themselves in the imaginative worlds of Story of a Day and The Libravian, while audiences looking for bold, offbeat comedy will enjoy the sharp wit and theatrical flair of The King of All Birds and Tom Moran is a Big Fat Filthy Disgusting Liar.
How would you describe Irish theatre — are there certain qualities that you would say are distinctly Irish?
Irish theatre is often rooted in strong storytelling and richly drawn characters. The language has a lyrical quality, a deep engagement with history and myth, and usually a sharp wit that undercuts even the most serious moments.
What makes it distinctly Irish is how it balances light and dark, humour and heartbreak, often within the same breath. There’s also a long-standing tradition of theatre being a space for social and political reflection, whether subtly or overtly, and that continues to be true of many contemporary Irish productions.
What can you tell us about some of the key artists who are featured?
Martha Knight
Martha Knight is currently one of the most interesting voices Irish Theatre. She transforms our mundane day-to-day experiences into vibrant worlds that immerse you in her imagination. The King of All Birds showcases all her strengths: music, storytelling, and stage presence. She employs Irish motifs to explore our human obsession with the skies and contemplates what drives us to look at things from above, all with great humor and a “bird’s-eye view.”
Tom Moran
Tom Moran is a Big Fat Filthy Disgusting Liar! Or he likes to say so; he has a penchant for the dramatic. Tom’s work is known for its emotional honesty and comedic precision. He brings stand-up themes of turning personal vulnerability into universal storytelling to enchant theatre audiences with his amazing writing.
Branar/Story of a Day
It’s hard to speak about any Branar production by itself — each show is part of a larger, ever-evolving tapestry of beautifully crafted worlds for children and their families. From the quiet simplicity of a single day to the epic retelling of Ulysses for young audiences (and the adults who bring them), Branar consistently redefines what theatre for young people can be.
Based in Galway, Branar is widely regarded as one of Ireland’s leading theatre companies for young audiences. Under the artistic direction of Marc Mac Lochlainn, Branar continues to create ambitious (they produce bilingual work in Irish and English), imaginative work, always rooted in its mission to entertain and inspire children through high-quality art.
In Story of a Day, they blend animation, classical music, and live theatre into a sensory-rich experience that delights families and sparks wonder.
James Riordan
James Riordan is an inventive and captivating theatre-maker whose work blurs the lines between movement, music, and myth. As Artistic Director of Brú Theatre, he creates bold, bilingual (Irish and English), visually stunning and emotionally layered performances. He always pushes boundaries with his storytelling in forms and feelings.
Next year’s festival will take place in The Corleck, which I understand is the old Canada Malting building on the waterfront. What can you tell us about the renovations?
Yes, we’re incredibly excited to bring next year’s festival to The Corleck, our future home. It’s a striking space with deep historical roots — the former Canada Malting office building is being transformed into a vibrant cultural destination with spaces for classes, meetings, community gatherings, and a flexible exhibition space that can receive music, theatre and visual arts.
The renovations have been carefully designed to honour the building’s heritage while equipping it with state-of-the-art facilities for the Toronto community. The Corleck will be a home for Irish and Canadian voices alike to gather.
- Find more details about the Bealtaine Irish Theatre Festival, which runs from April 25 to May 25, [HERE].
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