Toronto Irish Players

February 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.

Directed by Aodhan Melly • Produced by Geraldine Browne 

Cast
Tom Macdonald - Pat • Ally Kerr - Meg Dillon  • Scot Simpson - Monsewer • Kayne Wylie - Leslie Williams • Cora Kennedy - Teresa • Ken Byrne - Mr Mulleady • Katie Di Tosto - Miss Gilchrist  • David Eden - IRA Officer • Jerry Logan - The Volunteer and the Russian Sailor • David Twomey - Rio Rita • Michael Molloy - Princess Grace • Emma Darmody - Colette • Catherine Lenihan - Ropeen

Crew
Celeste Hebdon-Thomas - Stage Manager • Kristen Douglas - Set Designer • Bernadette Hunt - Costume Designer • David Liotta - Lighting Designer • Sue Murphy - Assistant Stage Manager • Krista Barzso - Fight Coordinator • Niamh McAuley - Prop Design

October 2024

Dublin by Lamplight 

Amidst the filth and fury of Dublin 1904

The theatrical event of the century is about to explode! Fading stars, rebels, whores and romantics irreverently expose the strange and lurid world of Dublin by Lamplight in this hilarious and witty production.

An instant hit when it first opened in 2004, this hugely entertaining and anarchic production is a night to change a nation’s destiny! Unless it all goes horribly wrong….

Produced under the special arrangement with John C. Goodwin and Associates.

Directed by Maureen Lukie • Produced by Geraldine Browne and Jackie Coleman

Cast
Aisling Carty -  Maggie • James Cooney -  Frank Hayes/Trench  • Rebecca De La Cour - Eva St. John • Liam Doherty - Martyn Wallace • Paul Farrelly - Doherty the Box • Mary Jane Handy - Maloney/Sgt. Kearns • Andrea Healy - Clown/Whore  • Andie Kovats - Tin Whistle Player/Angry Young Mother • Enda Reilly - Willy Hayes • Danny Sullivan - Jimmy/Boylan 

Crew
Celeste Hebdon-Thomas - Stage Manager • Geraldine Browne & Maureen Lukie - Set Designers • Livia Pravato - Costume Designer • Harris Bailey - Lighting Designer • Rick Sutton - Sound Designer • Sue Murphy - Assistant Stage Manager • Poppy Maher - Make-up design • Alan Hunt & Dave Merchant - Lighting operators • Rick Sutton & Jesse Miller - Sound operators • J Courtland Elliott ll - Aggressive Intimacy Coordinator • Kat Letwin - Physical Acting Consultant

February 2024

The Unmanageable Sisters

A TRADING STAMP WINDFALL PLUS FRIENDS & FAMILY, WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?

Green Shield stamps, a million of them – and Ger Lawless has won them all. It’s Ballymun in 1974 and happiness is at her fingertips. But when 15 friends and family gather to help her claim her winnings, all bets are off! During one fateful night, these determined women bring you into their lives in this ferociously funny Irish take on Tremblay’s classic comedy.

Directed by Victoria Shepherd • Produced by Geraldine Browne and Jackie Coleman

Cast
Catherine Lenihan - Dolly Snow • Heather Smith -  Angie Smith  • Drea Burck - Ruthie Barrett • Emer Kelly - Teresa Doyle • Victoria Stark - Olive Doyle • Linda Laughlin - Yvonne Long • Anne Shepherd - Lilly De Courcey • Tina McCulloch - Marie Boyle • Kim Spenger - Patsy Guerin • Barbara Taylor - Gabby Joyce • Martina Schabron - Rose O'Brien • Renee Cullen - Ger Lawless • Theresa Walsh - Lisa Pearse • Asha Asvathaman - Janet Mooney • Heather Lobban - Linda Lawless

Crew
David Liotta - Stage Manager • Alexis Chubb - Set Designers • Livia Pravato - Costume Designer • Larry Westlake - Lighting Designer 

 

November 2023

Brownbread

Brownbread is a riotous comedy/satire set in Roddy Doyle’s mythical Barrytown as three young men kidnap a bishop, because they accidentally find a gun and have nothing better to do that day. Almost immediately, the Corporation house they’re holed up in is under siege, first of all by the Gardaí, then by the U.S. Marines who are sent in by the American President when it emerges that the bishop has an American passport. Written in 1988, it is remarkable to see how the more things change, the more they remain the same with politics, religion, media spin, misinformation, ignorance and self-interest.

Produced by special arrangement with Curtis Brown Group Ltd.

Roddy Doyle is the author of eleven novels, two collections of stories, two books of dialogues and Rory & Ita, a memoir of his parents. He has written seven books for children and has contributed to a variety of publications including The New Yorker, McSweeney’s, Metro Eireann and several anthologies. He won the Booker Prize in 1993, for Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha.  Roddy has written for the stage and his plays include Brownbread and Guess Who’s Coming For The Dinner. He co-adapted with Joe O’Byrne his novel The Woman who Walked into Doors and he has written the stage adaptation for The Commitments. He also wrote the screenplays for The Snapper, The Van, Family, When Brendan Met Trudy and he co-wrote the screenplay for The Commitments.

He lives and works in Dublin.

Directed by Gregory Breen • Produced by Geraldine Browne  •  Stage Managed by Gina Taylor • Set Design by Baśka Szóstak  • Costumes by Bernadette Hunt • Lighting Design by Treva Marlett • Sound Design by Sean Treacy

Cast

Michael Murphy - Ao Farrell • Enda Reilly - John Murray • Donagh Heffernan - Donkey • Rob Candy - Bishop Treacy • Bernard Ryan - Mr. Farrell • Debby Sinera - Mrs Farrell • Susan Eckerle - Mrs. Murray • Alice Keane - Plain clothes Guard • Candice McIndoo - Uniformed Guard • Erik Bracciodieta -  Lt. George Bukowski • Private Crabacre - Kayne Wylie • Jonathan Macdonald - Maurice Murphy • Órla O’Connell - Nuala (TV Continuity VO) • Fiona Kelly and  Livia Pravato - The Hawkers • Gregory Breen - Dave Fanning • Henry Gill - The Boy • Jonathan MacDonald - Ronald Regan • Howard Quinn - Charlie Bird and Pat Kenny

February 2023

The Seafarer

The Seafarer is one of the most critically acclaimed and endearing plays of modern Irish theatre. This devilishly black comedy blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. Set on Christmas Eve in Baldoyle, a coastal town near Dublin, the play’s characters live dysfunctional lives which at times are laughable, infuriating, heart-rending, hopeful, confusing and mysterious, but always entertaining.

Conor McPherson is the author of seventeen plays for which he has won multiple awards, including The Evening Standard Award, the Critics Circle Award, the New York Drama Critics Award and the Laurence Olivier Award; he is also a multiple Tony nominee for his work.

The Seafarer is presented by permission of Dramatists Play Service, Inc.

Directed by Harvey Levkoe • Produced by Susan McQueen • Lighting Design by Mary Jane Boon • Set Design by Wayne Cardinalli • Costumes by Bernadette Hunt • Sound Design by John McQueen • Stage Management by Karen Farnocchi 

Cast
Ivan Curry - Rob Candy • Richard Harkin - Daryn DeWalt • Mr. Lockhart - Chris Irving • James 'Sharky' Harkin - David Lang • Nicky Giblin - Gavin Magrath 

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