Inaugural Bealtaine Theatre Festival brings contemporary Irish theatre to Toronto
iPhoto caption: Production image of The Livrarian. Photo by Anita Murphy.
Toronto audiences will experience a diverse selection of Irish theatre, music, and storytelling as the Bealtaine Theatre Festival debuts from April 25 to May 25. Presented by the Canada Ireland Foundation, the festival showcases a range of artistic voices, with a goal to strengthen cultural exchange between Ireland and Canada. Its inaugural lineup includes four productions that merge tradition with contemporary storytelling.
The 2026 edition of Bealtaine Theatre Festival will be hosted at the Corleck, a new cultural centre on Toronto’s waterfront. The venue will provide a hub for Irish arts in Canada, further strengthening artistic collaboration between the two countries.
This year’s slate of full productions is listed below.
The King of All Birds
April 25 – 27
Ontario Heritage Centre
The King of All Birds explores humanity’s enduring fascination with flight. Blending music, film collage, and vocoder effects, this performance examines the myths, dreams, and ambitions that have shaped our relationship with the sky.
Tom Moran Is a Big Fat Filthy Disgusting Liar
May 2 – 3
Theatre Passe Muraille
After acclaimed runs at the Dublin and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals, Irish theatre-maker Tom Moran brings his solo show to Toronto. Blending humour and personal storytelling, Moran delivers an exploration of masculinity, childhood, and self-acceptance, earning him recognition as one of Ireland’s rising theatre talents.
Story of a Day – Scéal Lae
May 17 – 18
Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse
Story of a Day is a playful and poetic celebration of life’s small wonders, following a child’s journey as ordinary moments turn into extraordinary adventures. Featuring original music by Tom Lane and vibrant illustrations by Mary Murphy, this production invites young audiences to see the world with fresh eyes. Designed for families with children aged four and up.
The Libravian
May 24 – 25
Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse
Part storyteller, part adventurer, Lynn the “Libravian” leads audiences on a journey through literature, exploring tales of bravery and imagination. With playful costumes, intricate sound design, and physical theatre, this production is suited for families with children aged eight to 11.
Tickets for all performances are available through the Canada Ireland Foundation website and partner venues.
Canada Ireland Foundation is an Intermission partner. Learn more about Intermission’s partnership model here.
Krystal Abrigo
Krystal is Intermission's Publishing and Editorial Coordinator. At any given moment, you can probably find her at a concert, or on a long walk somewhere in Toronto (or elsewhere).
LEARN MORE
iPhoto caption: Carolyn Fe in 'Aye Caesar.' Photo by Mathieu Taillardas.
REVIEW: Carolyn Fe’s Aye Caesar asks what it means to be seen
The phrase is, in my view, a quintuple entendre — and, like the play itself, its meanings become clearer the longer you sit with them.
iPhoto caption: Lissete VC in 'Deer Woman.' Photo by Andy Moro.
Q&A: At RUTAS Festival, Tara Beagan’s Mujer Venado / Deer Woman makes its Spanish-language premiere
The translation connects the play’s existing themes to the experiences of missing and murdered Indigenous women across the Americas.
iPhoto caption: Michael Man as Dr. Wilson Wong in 'The Tao of the World.' Stratford Festival 2026. Photo by David Hou.
Meet Michael Man, the versatile actor playing Gollum at the Stratford Festival
Dr. Wong and Gollum are just two of the three roles Man is playing in his second consecutive season at Stratford. He also appears in a smaller role as Robin Starveling, one of the mechanicals, in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, giving him the opportunity to move between wildly different theatrical worlds over the course of a single season.
iPhoto caption: Compagnie de Fakto's 'C'est la vida.' Photo by Julie Cherki.
Alliance Française Toronto unveils 2026-27 season at Spadina Theatre
International theatre and dance will play at the downtown venue alongside live music, free cinema, exhibitions, and more.
iPhoto caption: Sturla Alvsvaag, Tara Cullis, Michelle Mohammed, and David Suzuki in 'What You Won't Do For Love.' Photo by Dahlia Katz.
David Suzuki and Lester Trips to headline Factory Theatre’s fall season
In addition to its lineup of full productions, Factory will host work-in-progress presentations of Provisions and Ghost River Theatre and Macromatter's Soft Squishy Things in its Studio Theatre during the SummerWorks Performance Festival, running from August 6 to 16.
iPhoto caption: Toronto Fringe promo photo by Robbie Harper.
REVIEWS: Toronto Fringe Festival 2026
This collection of Toronto Fringe Festival capsule reviews will be updated throughout the festival with writing from 10 different critics.
Comments