Stage Door News
Millbank: 4th Line Theatre presents “Wild Irish Geese” July 29-August 30
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
4th Line Theatre is excited to continue its 2025 Summer Season with the world premiere of Megan Murphy’s Wild Irish Geese, directed and dramaturged by 4th Line’s Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell.
Murphy’s play is highly anticipated and sure to be an instant hit. The production will be a part of the 200th commemoration of the arrival of the first of the Peter Robinson Irish settlers in 1825. Descendants of these original Irish settlers are being invited to return to the region in the summer of 2025, to pay homage to their forbears. 4th Line is proud to be part of these commemorative events.
Megan Murphy, herself is a descendant of Peter Robinson emigrants, explains, “I come from a long line of storytellers - proud of our Irish roots and dedicated to preserving the spirit of our ancestors. It has been a deep honour to explore these concepts through the stories of the people who risked so much to begin again in this new world.”
Other descendants in the production are local Peterborough/Ennismore favourite Paul Crough, Douro’s beloved Nancy Towns, Douro and Curve Lake’s Patti Shaughnessy, M. John Kennedy and Poppy Alderson.
Set in the summer of 1825, Wild Irish Geese explores the 1825 migration of two-thousand Irish, escaping tyranny and hopelessness in Ireland, for the promise of something better in far-off Canada. Eventually over 2,000 impoverished Irish settled in Scotts Plains, later renamed Peterborough and began their lives anew. These new Canadians planted deep roots in the Peterborough area and have thousands of descendants both locally and across the globe.
“At the heart of Wild Irish Geese is a monumental journey—of hope, displacement, survival and resilience,” explains Blackwell, “Telling settler stories today requires both humility and responsibility, and Wild Irish Geese does not shy away from this tension.”
Murphy will lead the cast in the role of the Seanchaí, a Gaelic word for a traditional storyteller. Returning to the 4th Line stage in Wild Irish Geese are M. John Kennedy as Peter Robinson, Patti Shaughnessy, who also worked on the play as Indigenous Story Consultant, Matt Gilbert, Mark Hiscox, Sebastian Sage, Mikayla Stoodley, Lindsay Wilson and musician Fiddlin’ Jay (Jason Edmunds). Making their 4th Line debuts in the show: Paul Crough, Stew Granger and Nancy Towns. The cast will feature 29 professional and volunteer actors/musicians.
Community apprentice and volunteer actors and musicians include: Poppy Alderson, Aurora Celsie, Indigo Chesser, Jasper Chesser, Michelle Chesser, Maria Con, Sam Dickey, Hazel Evans, Michael Field, Linda Gendron, Cody Inglis, Ian McGarrett, Bronwyn Miller, Arden Payne, Darragh O’Connell, Phil Stott and Padrick Wilson.
The creative team includes Costume Designer Bonnie Garland, Set Designer Michelle Chesser, Musical Director and Composer Justin Hiscox, Choreographer Monica Dottor, Fight Director Edward Belanger, Intimacy Coordinator Greg Carruthers and Sound Designer Steáfán Hannigan, The stage management team includes Emily Brown, Molly Gabriel and Michael Field.
This family-friendly play features lively Irish music and storytelling is sure to be an instant hit. Book your tickets now to avoid disappointment.
Wild Irish Geese
World Premiere
Written by Megan Murphy
Directed and dramaturged by Kim Blackwell
July 29 - August 30
Previews: July 29, 30
Opening Night: Thursday, July 31
Tuesday to Saturday at 6 pm
With an added Monday performance on August 25th
For more information or to purchase tickets, gift certificates, charcuterie snack boxes or to make a donation, call the box office at 705-932-4445, or toll-free at 1-800-814-0055 or visit www.4thlinetheatre.on.ca, email boxoffice@4thlinetheatre.on.ca or visit our Box Office & Administrative Centre: 9 Tupper Street, Millbrook, ON (open 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Mondays through Thursdays).