{"id":124309,"date":"2026-05-15T11:11:45","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T15:11:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=124309"},"modified":"2026-05-15T11:11:45","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T15:11:45","slug":"preview-canada-ireland-foundation-presents-second-annual-bealtaine-theatre-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2026\/05\/15\/preview-canada-ireland-foundation-presents-second-annual-bealtaine-theatre-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"PREVIEW | The Canada Ireland Foundation Presents The Second Annual Bealtaine Theatre Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_124310\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-124310\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-124310\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Copy-of-PREVIEW-2026-05-15T105812.111.jpg\" alt=\"From the Bealtaine Theatre Festival: Eva O\u2019Connor In Chicken (Photo: Hildegard Ryan); Helen Gregg In You\u2019ll See (Photo: John McMahon); Danny O\u2019Mahony in Bellow (Photo: Ste Murray); Adrienne Truscott and Feidlim Cannon in Masterclass (Photo: Ste Murray)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Copy-of-PREVIEW-2026-05-15T105812.111.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Copy-of-PREVIEW-2026-05-15T105812.111-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Copy-of-PREVIEW-2026-05-15T105812.111-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Copy-of-PREVIEW-2026-05-15T105812.111-768x402.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-124310\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">From the Bealtaine Theatre Festival: Eva O\u2019Connor In Chicken (Photo: Hildegard Ryan); Helen Gregg In You\u2019ll See (Photo: John McMahon); Danny O\u2019Mahony in Bellow (Photo: Ste Murray); Adrienne Truscott and Feidlim Cannon in Masterclass (Photo: Ste Murray)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Toronto audiences will be able to enjoy a smorgasbord of contemporary Irish theatre at the second annual Bealtaine Theatre Festival, which runs from <strong>May 21 to June 7<\/strong>. Performances take place at the new <strong>Corleck<\/strong> performing arts on the waterfront, a facility for arts and culture that will have its official opening in November 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Bealtaine (pronounced byal-tin-uh) was inspired by the ancient Celtic festival celebrating the arrival of summer on May 1. One of four Gaelic season festivals, Bealtaine is about creativity and community.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are thrilled to present the second year of the Bealtaine Theatre Festival in our new home, the Corleck,\u201d says CIF Executive Director <strong>William Peat<\/strong>. \u201cNot only will Bealtaine audiences get a preview of this vibrant cultural space, but they\u2019ll also experience singular productions presented with great theatrical care, humour and spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Bealtaine Theatre Festival: At A Glance<\/h2>\n<p>From a whimsical take on the actor\u2019s life to the joys and costs of preserving Irish musical heritage and a comedic take on gender and power to a version of James Joyce\u2019s iconic Ulysses for kids (yes), the Bealtaine Theatre Festival offers a glimpse at the creative spark that drives Irish contemporary theatre.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UaNAmmokHSM?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>CHICKEN by Sunday\u2019s Child Theatre<\/h3>\n<p>Co-written by Eva O\u2019Connor and Hildegard Ryan<br \/>\nDirected by Hildegard Ryan<br \/>\nFeaturing Eva O\u2019Connor<br \/>\nFive performances between May 21 and 24<br \/>\nRecommended for Ages 13+<\/p>\n<p>This one-of-a-kind, one-person show is an award-winning production. It had a sold-out run at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and begins with an original idea: Don Murphy is a proud Irishman, a hopeless addict, and one of his generation\u2019s greatest actors \u2014 he\u2019s also a chicken.<\/p>\n<p>Don shares his story over the course of one night, from that first big break, to experiencing bird-on-bird sex for the first time, and life in the celebrity bubble. Along the way, Don confronts some harsh truths about himself, being a chicken, and humankind itself.<\/p>\n<p>Additional Credits: Costume Design: Bryony Rumble; Lighting Design: Marianne Nightingal; Movement Director: Sarah Blanc.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Fk3xpWqlNYI?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>BELLOW by Brokentalkers<\/h3>\n<p>Written by Feidlim Cannon, Gary Keegan &amp; Danny O\u2019Mahony<br \/>\nFeaturing Danny O\u2019Mahony, Gary Keegan &amp; Emily Kilkenny Roddy<br \/>\nFour performances between May 27 and 30<br \/>\nRecommended for Ages 16+<\/p>\n<p>This new theatre performance looks at what it takes to keep traditional Irish music alive while balancing an artist\u2019s need for authentic self expression.<\/p>\n<p>Musician Danny O\u2019Mahony is one of the leading proponents of Irish traditional music. He\u2019s dedicated his life\u2019s work to the accordion and to preserving music that is often centuries old. In Bellow, he talks about key moments from his past, including his finding his first connections with the music as a child, and the mentors who helped him on his journey towards mastering the genre. It\u2019s left very little room for anything else.<\/p>\n<p>Along with Danny\u2019s live performance, Bellow features original electronic music, new writing, and contemporary dance, creating a juxtaposition of the past and present of Irish music.<\/p>\n<p>Additional Credits: Movement Director: Eddie Kay; Sound Design &amp; Composition: Valgeir Sigur\u00f0sson; Set Designer: Sabine Dargent; Lighting Designer: Sarah Jane Shiels; Costume Designer: Sarah Foley; Dramaturg: Bjarni Jonsson; Mask Designer &amp; Construction: Ger Clancy; Creative Producer: Rachel Bergin.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Bx7SfRjZmTU?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>MASTERCLASS by Brokentalkers<\/h3>\n<p>Presented by Luminato Festival<br \/>\nFeaturing Adrienne Truscott and Feidlim Cannon<br \/>\nFour performance June 3 to 6<br \/>\nRecommended for Ages 13+<\/p>\n<p>This award-winning satire takes on the art world, masculinity, sexism, and the power structures behind the myth of the great male artist. The work is staged as an artist interview, and examines why such figures continue to dominate the arts landscape, even long after their deaths.<\/p>\n<p>It opens with a masterclass between Adrienne Truscott as a classic swaggering self-made playwright, with Feidlim Cannon in the role of a fawning host. But, is all as it seems? Egos and devastating humour emerge in a sharp witted and savagely funny look at gender and power.<\/p>\n<p>Who gets to be called a genius \u2014 and who pays the price?<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xezABkJyfko?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>YOU\u2019LL SEE by Branar<\/h3>\n<p>Adapted by Marc Mac Lochlainn and Helen Gregg<br \/>\nDirected by Marc Mac Lochlainn<br \/>\nFeaturing Helen Gregg<br \/>\nFour performances June 6 &amp; 7<br \/>\nRecommended for Ages 8+<\/p>\n<p>Did you say Ulysses for children? Why yes, Ulysses for children.<\/p>\n<p>This imaginative show brings James Joyce\u2019s epic story of one day in one city to vivid life for audiences age 8 and up \u2014 including anyone who never got around to reading the famous\/notorious Irish classic.<\/p>\n<p>The show brings together live performance, intricate paper design, an original score and Joyce\u2019s odyssey, this is theatre that will charm both young and older audience members.<\/p>\n<p>Additional Credits: Producer: Joanne Beirne; Composer: Michael Chang; Book Design &amp; Creation: Maeve Clancy; Lighting Design: Michael Foley; Sound Design: Adrian Ferry; Costume Designer: Elaine Mears; Cinematography: James Ryan and StationHouse Media; Set Build: Ciaran Kelly; Paper Creation: Sorcha N\u00ed Chr\u00f3in\u00edn; Stage Manager &amp; Technician: Michael Foley; Line Producer: Niamh N\u00ed Fhlatharta; Marketing: Noel Minogue; Production Assistant: N\u00f3ra Burke; Design Assistant: Ois\u00edn Parslow.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/n8gONtmftkE?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h2>Details<\/h2>\n<p>The Beatltaine Theatre Festival \u2014 Bringing the Best of Contemporary Irish Theatre to Toronto \u2014 features performances from May 21 to June 7, 2026. Shows take place at Corleck, 3 Eireann Quay, Toronto, the historical site of the Canada Malting Company administrative offices at the foot of Bathurst Street.<\/p>\n<p>Individual tickets are on sale, and ticket packages are available for two-show packages, as well as a Family 4-pack.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Find details and tickets [<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canadairelandfoundation.com\/explore\/bealtaine-theatre-festival-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/strong>].<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><em>Are you looking to promote an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/advertising\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\"><u>event<\/u><\/span><\/a>? Have a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/masthead\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>news tip<\/u><\/a>? Need to know the best\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/events\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>events<\/u><\/a>\u00a0happening this weekend? 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