Upcoming Show
The Lobby, by Don Creedon
More details coming soon! Show dates October 16 to November 1, 2025 To get more details when announced, ⬇️ sign up to the TIP newsletter ⬇️
Last Production
February/March 2025
The Hostage
The Hostage is a tragic yet comedic play by Brendan Behan, first performed in 1958. Set in a seedy Dublin lodging house, the play explores themes of nationalism, violence, and human absurdity through a mix of farce, satire, and poignant drama.
The plot revolves around Leslie Williams, a young, naive British soldier who is kidnapped by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) as a bargaining tool for an imprisoned Irish nationalist facing execution in Belfast. The boarding house, run by the colorful and pragmatic Pat and his feisty partner Meg, serves as the backdrop for a chaotic mix of characters—prostitutes, ex-revolutionaries, and misfits—who bring humor and irreverence to the tense situation.
As Leslie awaits his fate, he forms a touching bond with Teresa, a young and innocent housemaid. Their relationship highlights the play’s central irony: despite their opposing national allegiances, they are just two young people caught in a conflict beyond their control. The situation spirals into absurdity and tragedy as political posturing and comic misunderstandings escalate toward an inevitable and darkly ironic conclusion.
Blending songs, satire, and social commentary, The Hostage challenges the romanticism of armed struggle while exposing the absurdity of violence and ideological extremism.
Brendan Behan
The Hostage, play in three acts by Brendan Behan, produced in 1958 and published in 1962. The play, which is considered Behan’s masterwork, employs ballads, slapstick, and fantasies to satirize social conditions and warfare. In the play, an English soldier is held hostage in a brothel by members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), who hope thus to prevent the execution of one of their own men.
Aodhan Melly-Director
Aodhan is a versatile director and creative experience in short films, branded content, editing, and photography. Excited to make his directorial debut in theatre, he draws on his background in film to blend visual storytelling techniques with live performance, creating immersive experiences for audiences and marking an exciting new chapter in his creative journey
Tom Macdonald*
Role:Pat
Tom was last seen on the TIP stage as that lonely curmudgeon Dan, in CHIPATTI. On other stages around town he has been seen in a variety of roles, including both Dukes in Shakespeare's As You Like It , a pantomime Dame, and in Norm Foster's Drinking alone and Office Hours.
If you don’t blink you might also catch him on the small screen in some episodic television , docudramas and a couple of commercials.
*Appearing with the permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association.
Ally Kerr
Role:Meg Dillon
Ally Kerr is thrilled to debut with the Toronto Irish Players.Trained at the Gaiety School of Acting and Bowstreet Academy, her credits include The Importance of Being Earnest, Drama at Inish, Don't Dress for Dinner, and Stones in His Pockets. She also voices The Slaughterhouse Wives podcast on Spotify."
Scott Slmpson
Role:Monsewer
dhuit! Scott is thrilled to be doing his first production with Toronto Irish Players playing the role of the quirky Monsewer. Scotts previous productions have included The Rain Maker, Of Mice and Men and most recently the Christmas Spirit for Scarborough Guild. Scott is also happy to be working with all the gifted actors who have brought this production to life and looks forward to many more with the Irish Players. This one goes out to my cuz Cindy who keeps my family Irish vibe alive!
Kayne Wylie
Role:Leslie Williams
Kayne is excited to be performing with the Toronto Irish Players for the 2nd time. A proud alumnus of Humber College's AFTV program (Acting for Film & Television) Kayne has built an impressive body of work from around the city. Credits include: The Chosen (Teatron Theatre), Alas, Poor Romeo! (Rubber Duck Productions), Things We Lost in the Fire (Promise Productions), Brownbread (Toronto Irish Players), Comic Potential and My Narrator (The NAGs Players), The Great Kelleys, B to Z, and Speed Dating at the Bull & Bell (Alumnae Theatre). Kayne extends his heartfelt gratitude to his devoted family and friends for their unwavering support.
Cora Kennedy
Role:Teresa
Cora first worked with TIP when she was Una in “The Hen Night Epiphany”. Since then she hasworked on projects such as: “Stained”, “The Vampire Masquerade” and “Love Letters”. Last fall she completed the Voiceover Diploma Program with On the Mic. Cora has enjoyed her timeback with TIP working with this lovely cast and crew in, “The Hostage”.
Ken Byrne
Role:Mr Mulleady
Making his first appearance in a play in 9 years. Ken has previously been seen in productions in his native Kildare. Some of his favourite roles were The Covey in "Plough and the Stars", Charlie in "Da" and Blades in "Buridans Ass".
Katie Di Tosto
Role:Miss Gilchrist
Katie is thrilled to make her return to the stage with the Toronto Irish Players. A graduate of Canadore College’s Theatre Arts Program in 2008, she has performed with Rep 21’s productions of “Popcorn” (Violet) and “Ancaster Park” (Morgan), as well as the Tough Luck Collective’s production of George F. Walker’s “Tough!” (Tina). An RN by day, Katie is full of gratitude to the Toronto Irish Players for providing her a platform to resuscitate her love of the stage, and her family and friends for their inspiration, encouragement, and support.
David Eden
Role:the IRA Officer
David is happy to be back, having played in The Night Joe Dolan’s Car Broke Down and Many Young Men of Twenty. Favourite roles include Godfrey in Queen Milli of Galt, Orsino and Feste in two productions of Twelfth Night, Whiteside in The Man Who Came to Dinner and Scout in his one-man show Life After God by Douglas Coupland, which toured on the Fringe Festival circuit. He played Major Petkoff in Arms and the Man last year.
Jerry Logan
Role:The Volunteer and the Russian Sailor
Fresh off of last years performances with the Toronto Village Players as Lenny Ganz in "Rumors" and Ralph Crane et el in "The Book Of Will" Jerry is now making his Toronto Irish Players debut with dual roles in "The Hostage" as the Russian sailor and Feargus O'Conner the volunteer. What comes next for Jerry is anybody's guess, including Jerry's.
David Twomey
Role:Rio Rita
Originally from the Gaeltacht Ballyvourney, west Cork. I’d been travelling for two years before going home for two months where it didn’t stop raining so I got a visa in two weeks and flew to Toronto two weeks later, and now work at Swoop Funding. Haven’t been on stage as an adult and so this is my first attempt at a bit of acting. Have dabbled in guitar and singing growing up but not in a long time.
Michael Molloy
Role:Princess Grace
My name is Michael and I am very thrilled to be a part of this production. After years of hearing about the Toronto Irish Players I decided to check out auditions and sure enough they were casting for this play! This city, this play & this group are all very new to me, but I hope to contribute more and more to Toronto's amazing theatre scene in the days to come! Hope you enjoy!
Emma Darmody
Role:Colette
Emma joined the Toronto Irish Players in 2020, playing Mary in Many Young Men of Twenty. Since then, she has been found helping front of house or in the audience. Emma is delighted to be back on stage with TIP. Hailing from Tipperary, Emma has been living in Toronto for 7 years. Emma has really enjoyed playing Colette in The Hostage, and hopes you enjoy the show.
Catherine Lenihan
Role:Ropeen
Catherine, originally from West Cork Ireland, she last appeared for TIP in The Unmanageable Sisters and is so happy to join this talented cast. She has also performed with Scarborough Players, Stage Centre Productions and Scarborough Guild. Winner of ACTCO Best Actress Award in the drama “1949”.
Celeste Hebdon-Thomas
Stage Manager
Celeste Hebdon-Thomas is extremely excited to return for her second show with the Toronto Irish Players with The Hostage. She is the stage manager at her school, and was selected for The Musical Stage Company’s One Song Glory stage management apprenticeship.
Geraldine Browne
Producer
Geraldine is delighted to be producing this Irish classic The Hostage in TIP’s 50th anniversary year. She would like to thank all the behind the scenes crew for all their hard work in getting this show on the stage. Cheers to 50 more years.
Kristen Douglas
Stage Designer
Kristen Douglas creates environments and artworks for performance, dance, music, and nature connection. She has also been an architect, writer, editor, and teacher. Kirsten lives in Toronto with her family and animals. This is her first production with the Toronto Irish Players.
Bernadette Hunt
Costume Designer
Bernadette Hunt is a long time member of the Irish Players She has contributed to many successful productions as costume designer, set designer and painter and has enjoyed every minute of it. She received many nominations in the ACT-CO Festivals and has won Thea awards for her costume designs such as productions of The Dead, Big Maggie and more recently, The Landgrabber. Her set design for Little Gem (in collaboration with Sean Treacy) won a Special Adjudicator's Award at the Theatre Ontario Festival. Thanks to TIP for all the opportunities.
David Liotta
Lighting Designer
David Liotta is a Toronto-based freelance stage manager, lighting designer, and sound designer, and has worked on shows all over Canada over the past 20 years. This is his second show with the Toronto Irish Players, previously he stage managed The Unmanageable Sisters (2024). David was also a regular stage manager for community theatre company Amicus Productions before they shut down. David's regular gig is in the travel industry, where he works as a Key Partnership Manager for Intrepid Travel. When he's not working on shows or exploring around the world, David can be found at home by the harbourfront with his lovely and supportive wife Michelle, and their dog Cannoli.
Sue Murphy
Assistant Stage Manager
Sue hails from Drogheda, Co. Louth and is a member of the TIP Committee for 2024-2025. This is her third production with TIP as assistant stage manager and she is delighted to help bring this show to life from behind the curtains!
Krista Barzso
Fight Coordinator
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