Tarragon Theatre presents The Neighbours by Governor General’s Award-winning playwright Nicolas Billon, in association with Green Light Arts. The Neighbours, a thriller, marks a return to creating plays by Billon, and will see its Toronto and North American premiere on February 24.
The Neighbours had its world premiere in 2019, produced by Theatre Office Natori in Tokyo, Japan.
“After working across — and outside — Toronto for several years, this feels a lot like coming home. I’m thrilled to have The Neighbours be a part of Tarragon’s season and for us to introduce it to Toronto audiences,” notes show director and Green Light Arts’ Artistic Director Matt White in a statement.
Nicolas Billon
Canadian writer Nicholas Billon has been writing since he was a young child. Today, he writes for theatre, television, and film. His first play, The Elephant Song, was adapted into a feature film that starred Xavier Dolan, Bruce Greenwood, and Catherine Keener. Many of his theatrical works, including Iceland, and Butcher, have been produced across Canada as well as internationally.
Along with a Governor Generals Award for Drama, his work has been recognized by more than a dozen awards, including a Canadian Screen Award, and a Writers Guild of Canada Screenwriting Award.
“Nicolas Billon has an uncanny ability to create worlds that draw you in and spark conversation, and this is no exception. We can’t wait for Tarragon audiences to engage in conversation about complicity and about how people can get trapped by their biases, their fears, and their curated stories about themselves and others,” White says.
The Play
“Green Light Arts has made an incredible impact within Kitchener/Waterloo, and has made ripples throughout Toronto with its unique aesthetic and commitment to engaging storytelling. We are delighted to welcome our audiences to experience their work, in the North American Premiere of this compelling piece by Nicolas Billon,” notes Tarragon’s Artistic Director Mike Payette in a statement.
The story revolves around Denise and Simon, a couple who live on a quiet street in what seems like a calm, typical neighbourhood. They don’t usually believe in prying into their neighbour’s private lives.
But, when the horrific secrets kept by the man next door are revealed, they are forced to confront the idea that their so-called respect for privacy may have boiled down simply choosing to ignore what should have been questioned.
The situation sparks questions about complicity and deliberate obliviousness, and how we often choose to turn a blind eye in order to maintain a sense of normalcy long past the point where it makes sense.
How does it happen that good people facilitate evil acts? Can humanity actually come together when the world turns dark?
“Nicolas is a theatrical force who has created some of the most exceptionally memorable contemporary works of our time. The Neighbours is a fast-paced mystery that gives the audience the magnifying glass, to discover what secrets lie among us under the backdrop of a seemingly pleasant neighbourhood that feels both familiar and disturbingly quiet,” Payette says.
The Neighbours: Tarragon Production
The North American debut of The Neighbours takes place at Tarragon Theatre, on stage from February 24 to March 15, 2026, with opening night on February 26. Following the Toronto appearance, The Neighbours, will be on stage in Kitchener at the Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts from March 18 to 26, 2026.
The Neighbours is written by Governor General’s Award-winner Nicholas Billon (Iceland, Butcher).
The cast includes Ordena Stephens-Thompson (Three Sisters/Soulpepper/Obsidian Theatre, Da kink in my hair) as Denise Armstrong, Tony Nappo (The Summoned/Tarragon, Strays/CBC) as Simon Armstrong, and Richard Tse (Iron Road/Tapestry Music Theatre, Ga Ting/ARTillary Collective) as Au Yeung Wei.
Green Light Arts’ Artistic Director Matt White (Izad Etemadi: Let Me Explain/Green Light Arts, Will You Be My Friend/Green Light Arts) directs.
Also on the creative team:
- Set & Prop design by Kelly Wolf (she/her)
- Costume design by Des’ree Gray (she/her)
- Lighting design by Paul Cegys (he/him)
- Sound design by Braeden Etienne (he/they)
- Stage management by May Nemat Allah (she/her)
- Apprentice stage management by Alex Joyce (they/them)
Find tickets and other show details [HERE].
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